Clin Reprod Fertil. 1987 Dec;5(6):333-45.
Clinical reproduction and fertility
G Hoppe
PMID: 3333339
The plethora of published studies investigating oral contraceptive pill (OC)-induced changes of various plasma lipids and their ratios together with repeated reviews of these studies in the literature, are all based on the assumption that OC-induced favourable or unfavourable lipid profiles decrease or increase a pill-associated cardiovascular risk. Some authorities have been led to recommend choice of pill formulations based on such changes of plasma lipids. In a combined review of relevant cardiovascular and OC epidemiological studies no evidence is found for these assumptions and recommendations. There is no evidence of OC-induced atherosclerotic disease, and pill-induced changes of plasma lipids within normal limits are therefore probably without any clinical relevance. Profound changes towards a so-called favourable plasma lipid profile may, on the contrary, be detrimental in terms of pill-associated cardiovascular events.
Keywords: Arterial Occlusive Diseases; Arteriosclerosis; Atherosclerosis; Biology; Blood Coagulation Effects--changes; Contraception; Contraceptive Methods--beneficial effects; Contraceptive Methods--side effects; Diseases; Embolism; Epidemiologic Methods; Evaluation; Family Planning; Hematological Effects; Hemic System; Lipid Metabolic Effects--changes; Lipids; Literature Review; Metabolic Effects; Oral Contraceptives--beneficial effects; Oral Contraceptives--side effects; Physiology; Research Methodology; Risk Assessment; Steroid Metabolic Effects; Thromboembolism; Vascular Diseases
