Effect of Combined Oral Contraceptive on Lipid Profile Level and Cardiovascular Risk

Abstract

Background: Combined oral contraceptive pills are an effective and widely used method for contraception. Combined oral contraceptives have been shown to alter lipid profiles among various population groups with different patterns of dyslipidemia and cardiovascular risk. Objectives: The study aimed at determining the lipid profile pattern and cardiovascular risk among combined oral contraceptive users. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Rajshahi Medical College, from January 2018 to December. 2018. The study group was made of 100 women. (mean age 24.1 ± 5 years), who took combined oral contraceptive pills (30 mg ethinyl estradiol, 150 mg Levonorgestrel) for a period ranging from 1-60 months, while 100 age-matched women with regular mentruation with no history of hormonal use within the last six months before the investigation were used as controls. Fasting blood samples from all study subjects were collected and analyzed for lipid profile [ Total cholesterol (TC), High-Density Lipoprotein- cholesterol (HDL-c), Low-Density Lipoprotein- cholesterol (LDL-c) and Triglyceride (TG)] using standard calorimetric Techniques. Results: Combined oral contraceptive use was associated with increased levels of total cholesterol (p ≤ 0.001), Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p ≤ 0.001), triglyceride (p ≤ 0.001), as well as decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (p = .408) in comparison to controls. Conclusion: Combined oral contraceptive use is associated with alteration in lipid profile, particularly increases total cholesterol triglyceride, LDL and decreased HDL-c. These changes carry a potential risk in the development of cardiovascular disease. Evaluating the most effective and safest contraceptive methods is important to avoid the potential risk of developing cardiovascular disease.