High estrogenic impact on the liver by transdermal contraceptive patch

Abstract

Evaluation of: White T, Ozel B, Jain JK, Stanczyk FZ. Effects of transdermal and oral contraceptives on estrogen-sensitive hepatic proteins. Contraception 74, 293–296 (2006).In a randomized trial, the effects on sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), thyroxin-binding globulin (TBG) and C-reactive protein (CRP) of three cycles of treatment with a contraceptive patch containing ethinylestradiol (EE) and norelgestromin versus treatment with an oral contraceptive (OC) containing EE and norgestimate were compared. There was a significantly higher increase in the levels of SHBG and TBG during treatment with the patch than with the OC, whereas the estrogen-induced rise in CBG and CRP was similar. The results suggest a higher impact on estrogen-sensitive hepatic proteins of the contraceptive patch than of an OC due to the higher exposure of the women to EE. It has been reported that the relative risk of venous thromboembolism increases during treatment with the transdermal con...