Effects of contraceptive steroids on carbohydrate metabolism.

Abstract

ABSTRACT. To further define the association of impaired glucose tolerance tests (GTT) and the administration of contraceptive steroids, 23 healthy nonobese women were selected for this study. Twelve subjects received cyclic ethinyl estradiol (100 μg) for the first 16 days, followed by dimethisterone (25 mg) plus ethinyl estradiol for 5 days. Eleven subjects received cyclic ethinyl estradiol 3-methyl ether (100 μg) plus ethynodiol diacetate (1 mg) for 20 days. Both oral and iv GTT were performed before and during the third cycle of treatment. The effects on carbohydrate metabolism were evaluated by means of statistical analysis of absolute and per cent changes in the paired samples of blood glucose, serum insulin and serum growth hormone (HGH) levels during the 2-hr tests. In addition, the area under the curves (area unit) was measured and used as an index for comparing relative quantitative changes. Our data indicate that both oral and iv GTT remain unchanged, but it was associated with a state of relativ...