Effect of combined oral contraceptives with estrogen identical to natural estrogen on the metabolic profile and body composition in females during the menopausal transition

Abstract

Aim. To study the effect of combined oral contraceptives (COC) with estrogen identical to natural estrogen on the metabolic profile and body composition in females during the menopausal transition. Materials and methods. Females in the menopausal transition who needed contraception were divided into two groups. Group 1 (19 patients) received COCs containing estradiol valerate/dienogest (E2V/DNG) with a dynamic dosing regimen; Group 2 (19 patients) received monophasic COCs containing 17-estradiol/nomegestrol acetate (E2/NOMAC) for 6 months. Blood pressure (BP), parameters of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, leptin, adiponectin, C-reactive protein, uric acid, and body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were assessed initially and after the 6 months of therapy. Results. No significant changes in weight and body composition after 6 months of COC use were found in both groups. COCs with E2V/DNG had no significant effect on BP and all assessed metabolic parameters. Females taking COCs with E2/NOMAC showed increased fasting glucose of 4.85 (0.43) and 5.30 (0.37) mmol/L (p=0.002), insulin of 4.97 (2.35) and 8.82 (4.67) U/mL (p=0.012), NOMA index of 1.06 (0.54) and 1.88 (0.75); p=0.010 compared to baseline. However, the parameters remained within the reference values. Conclusion. COCs containing estrogens identical to natural estrogens do not affect body composition and have no significant adverse effect on BP and metabolic parameters in females during the menopausal transition, indicating that the use of these agents is acceptable from the perspective of their metabolic effects in this group of patients.