Oral Contraceptives

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 10 days ago
Related Articles CYP2A6 activity in a healthy Spanish population: effect of age, sex, smoking, and Oral Contraceptives. Hum Exp Toxicol. 2008 May;27(5):367-72 Authors: Sinues B, Fanlo A, Mayayo E, Carcas C, Vicente J, Arenaz I, Cebollada A This study was performed to assess the influence of age, sex, smoking, and contraceptive use on CYP2A6 activity. In the metabolism of caffeine, the conversion of 1,7 dimethylxanthine (17X) to 1,7 dimethiylurate (17U) is catalyzed primarily by CYP2A6. CYP2A6 phenotype was determined by the urinary ratio 17U:17X in the interval of 4-5 h after caffeine intake in 179 healthy white Spaniards (102 women and 76 men). There were 99 non-smokers and 80 smokers. Among women, 26 were taking Oral Contraceptives. The age was the most important predictive factor of CYP2A6 activity (P < 0.001) with older subjects having higher activity. The influence of the gender was more modest (P = 0.07) with women exhibiting borderline increased values of the CYP2A6 marker than men. Tobacco smoking did not affect CYP2A6 activity. However, the CYP2A6 marker resulted to be strongly related to the use of Oral Contraceptives. The women users of Oral Contraceptives had higher values of CYP2A6 marker than both women not taking Oral Contraceptives and men (P < 0.001 in both comparisons). The results indicate that age, Oral contraceptive use, and possibly gender should be controlled in epidemiological studies dealing with CYP2A6 activi ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 30 days ago
Related Articles Oral Contraceptives, hormone therapy and cardiovascular risk. Climacteric. 2008 Oct;11(5):355-63 Authors: Shapiro S Background Soon after combined estrogen/progestogen Oral Contraceptives (COCs) were introduced in the 1950s, it was established that they cause venous thromboembolism (VTE), that the risk is related to estrogen dose, and that COCs also increase the risk of myocardial infarction among female smokers over age 35. Stroke risk is also increased. Early studies of supplemental hormone therapy were inconclusive. Objective To consider new findings. New findings on Oral Contraceptives Genetic predisposition to VTE has been established with the discovery of Leiden factor V mutation. Based on an irrational classification of low-estrogen-dose (</= 30 mug ethinylestradiol) COCs as 'second generation' (containing 'older' progestogens, mainly norethisterone), or 'third generation' (containing the 'newer' progestogens, desogestrel or gestodene), it was claimed that the latter cause more VTE than the former. That claim has been rebutted, and it has been shown that VTE is a class effect, also shared by the newest progestogen, drosperinone. VTE risk is now known to be greatest during the initial year of COC use, after which the risk remains elevated, but somewhat less so. New findings on hormone therapy It is now established that hormone therapy increases the risk of VTE, and perhaps of stroke. The pattern is much the same ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 30 days ago
Related Articles Reverse of progestin-resistant atypical endometrial hyperplasia by metformin and Oral Contraceptives. Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Aug;112(2 Pt 2):465-7 Authors: Shen ZQ, Zhu HT, Lin JF BACKGROUND: Atypical endometrial hyperplasia usually is treated with high-dose progestin or hysterectomy, but the latter deprives the patient of future child bearing. CASES: Two women with atypical endometrial hyperplasia complicating polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) had failed to respond to high-dose progestin therapy. They were both obese, insulin-resistant, and nulliparous with a desire to preserve fecundity. Metformin and Oral Contraceptives were administered as alternatives. Endometrial curettage performed 3 months later demonstrated a proliferative endometrium without evidence of residual pathology. CONCLUSION: Insulin resistance might play a role in the occurrence of atypical endometrial hyperplasia complicating PCOS. Metformin and Oral Contraceptives could be an alternative treatment in the presence of progestin resistance. PMID: 18669766 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 39 days ago
Related Articles The Impact of Metformin, Oral Contraceptives and Lifestyle Modification, on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Obese Adolescent Women in Two Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Aug 26; Authors: Hoeger K, Davidson K, Kochman L, Cherry T, Kopin L, Guzick DS Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) presents in adolescence and obesity is a common finding. The benefits and risks of alternate approaches to the management of PCOS in obese adolescent women are not clear. Objective: We investigated the effects of metformin, Oral contraceptive and/or lifestyle modification in obese adolescent women with PCOS. Design: Two randomized, placebo-controlled small clinical trials Patients and Participants: 79 obese adolescent women with PCOS Interventions: In the Single Treatment Trial, subjects were randomized to metformin, placebo, a lifestyle modification program or Oral contraceptive. In the Combined Treatment Trial, all subjects received lifestyle modification and Oral contraceptive (OC) and were randomized to metformin or placebo. Main outcome measures: Serum concentrations of androgens and lipids. Results: Lifestyle modification alone resulted in a 59% reduction in free androgen index (FAI) with a 122% increase in sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). OC resulted in significant decrease in total testosterone (44%) and FAI (86%), but also resulted in an increase in C-reactive protein (CRP) (39.7 ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 33 days ago
Related Articles Corneal copper deposition secondary to Oral Contraceptives. Optom Vis Sci. 2008 Sep;85(9):E802-7 Authors: Garmizo G, Frauens BJ PURPOSE.: To document two cases of corneal pigmented rings and hypercupremia associated with estrogen-based Oral contraceptive use. Other causes of corneal pigment rings including Kayser-Fleischer rings and the previously documented association of estrogens and hypercupremia are discussed. CASE REPORTS.: Two healthy female patients presenting to a general optometric practice for routine examinations were found to have bilateral bluish-green corneal deposits at the level of endothelium/Descemet's membrane. The deposits were predominately in the inferior midperiphery in both patients, but formed a complete ring 3 years after initial presentation in one. Both patients were found to have abnormally elevated serum copper and elevated ceruloplasmin levels, and both were taking estrogen-based Oral Contraceptives. Serum copper levels returned to normal levels soon after cessation of the Oral Contraceptives, and subsequently re-elevated when a different Oral contraceptive agent was tried. Although the pigment rings appeared different from typical Kayser-Fleischer rings, both patients were referred to gastroenterologists to rule out Wilson's disease. CONCLUSIONS.: This is believed to be the first report of corneal pigment deposition and hypercupremia associated with Oral contraceptive use. Recognition o ...

Source: www.mayoclinic.com --- 6 days ago
Birth control pills taken on an adjusted schedule can delay your period. Sponsored by: Chemotherapy.com - http://www.chemotherapy.com ...

Source: cfhcweblog.typepad.com --- 31 days ago
Public Release Date: 18-August-2008 CHAPEL HILL – A new clinical trial at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill using a popular low-dose contraceptive could uncover a more effective treatment for the 5 to 10 percent of women who... ...

Source: blog.internationaldrugmart.com --- 35 days ago
International Drug Mart has generic Oral contraceptive medications used for birth control/preventing pregnancy. These pills work in way making the estrogen hormone preventing the eggs released from ovaries. Estrogen and progesterone are the two hormones, which make the uterus a perfect environment for the embryo to grow. These pills have lesser estrogen, so after the [...] ...

Source: womenshealth.about.com --- 6 days ago
Discover the truth about the pill from real women. Learn what other women think about Oral Contraceptives and find out about the advantages and disadvantages of birth control pills. ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 7 days ago
Related Articles Effects of the contraceptive patch, the vaginal ring and an Oral contraceptive on APC resistance and SHBG: A cross-over study. Thromb Res. 2008 Sep 29; Authors: Fleischer K, van Vliet HA, Rosendaal FR, Rosing J, Tchaikovski S, Helmerhorst FM INTRODUCTION:: The transdermal patch (20 microg ethinylestradiol+150 microg norelgestromin daily) and the vaginal ring (15 microg ethinylestradiol+120 microg etonogestrel daily) are new Contraceptives, designed to deliver a low dose of hormones, suggesting a low exposure. However, few data are available about their risk of venous thrombosis. The objective was to investigate the effect of the patch, the ring, and an Oral contraceptive (30 microg ethinylestradiol+150 microg levonorgestrel daily) on activated protein C sensitivity ratio (APC-sr) and on sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels in plasma. MATERIALS AND METHODS:: After a two month wash-out, 13 volunteers were randomly assigned to either the patch followed by the Oral contraceptive or vice versa, or the ring followed by the Oral contraceptive or vice versa. All treatments lasted two cycles and were separated by a wash-out of two cycles. APC-sr and SHBG levels were determined on day 18-21 of the second cycle of the wash-out and of each treatment period. RESULTS: Compared to the Oral contraceptive, both the patch and the ring led to higher APC resistance (mean difference APC-sr 1.1; 95% CI 0.67-1.52 and 0.55; 95% CI 0.11- ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 10 days ago
Related Articles [Dysmenorrhea in pediatric and adolescent gynaecology] Ginekol Pol. 2008 Jul;79(7):499-503 Authors: Drosdzol A, Skrzypulec V Dysmenorrhea is the most common problem in pediatric and adolescent gynaecology and it reaches approximately 20-90% of adolescents and young adult females. Dysmenorrhea in adolescent girls is usually primary and is associated with normal ovulatory cycles and with no pelvic pathology. Secondary dysmenorrhea, associated with some pelvic pathology, constitutes approximately 10% of the cases and its most frequent reasons are: endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, congenital mullerian anomalies and ovarian cysts. Prostaglandins and leukotriens play a significant role in etiopathogenesis of the primary dysmenorrhea. The therapy of the primary dysmenorrheal in adolescent girls involves: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for at least 3 months, combined with Oral Contraceptives for at least 3-6 menstrual cycles, as well as dietary supplementation, other alternative therapies (vitamins, herbal remedies, acupuncture, TENS) and surgical treatment Secondary causes of dysmenorrhea should be considered in adolescents with dysmenorrhea who do not respond to the treatment. The role of the pediatric and adolescent gynaecologist is to diagnose the reason of symptoms, educate the patient, review effective treatment options as well as to restore normal daily functioning. PMID: 18819458 [PubMed - in process] ...

Source: www.medicinenet.com --- 87 days ago
Title: Birth Control Pills (Oral Contraceptives) Category: Medications Created: 12/31/1997 Last Editorial Review: 7/14/2008 ...

Source: www.fertilityfriend.com --- 78 days ago
Fertility After Oral Contraceptives - Click to read the article ...

Source: eating.health.com --- 1 day ago
Bananas aren’t just for making a bowl of bran cereal less boring. They are rich in vitamin B, something your body may need more of as you age, especially if you’re a woman. Tufts University researchers found that women of childbearing age, particularly those taking Oral Contraceptives, are much more likely than men to have [...] ...

Source: www.lifesite.net --- 91 days ago
By Thaddeus M. Baklinski July 12, 2008 (LifesiteNews.com) - Evidence continues to increase about the harmful effects of Oral contraceptive use. An article by Dr. David Brownstein (http://www.drbrownstein.com/blog.asp?id=124) refers to a study on Oral contraceptive use and the link to... ...

Source: www.emaxhealth.com --- 98 days ago
Black women taking low-dose Oral Contraceptives have a risk of side effects that can lead to heart disease and diabetes, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology, Reuters Health reports. For the study, NIH researcher Anne Summer and colleagues examined 104 healthy black women who did not have diabetes. Twenty-one of the women were taking Oral Contraceptives and 83 were not. read more ...

Source: blogs.columbiatribune.com --- 9 days ago
An article in the most recent issue of Consumer Reports examines the safety of "extended cycle Contraceptives," those birth control pills that promise to reduce or even eliminate the number of periods a woman has in a year. "It it safe to suppress menstruation?" the magazine asks. The 375 obstetricians/gynecologists and primary-care physicians surveyed by the Consumer Reports National Research Center said yes. Eighty-five percent said they had prescribed an extended-cycle drug in the past year, and almost 90 percent said they were "highly confident" these pills are safe (the article notes, however, that no long-term data on the topic exists). The No. 1 reason for prescribing these birth control pills was patient convenience, though they were also used to treat other problems caused by hormone fluctuations, ranging from acne to endometriosis to migraines. However, these pills also present some problems. Extended cycles make it more difficult for a woman to tell if she accidentally gets pregnant. According to the article, 10 percent of the doctors had a patient become pregnant and fail to notice early on. In addition to a few unpleasant side effects -- mostly breakthrough bleeding and breast tenderness -- the pills are more expensive than other Oral Contraceptives, and some insurance companies won't cover them. But what do women say? An article in the New York Times last year showed mixed results for extended cycle Contraceptives. ...

Source: empowher.com --- 33 days ago
MONDAY, Sept. 8 (HealthDay News) -- Women who take hormones to relieve symptoms of menopause have a higher risk of developing symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Also, women who use selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), used to treat breast cancer and osteoporosis, also have a higher risk of developing reflux, according to a study in the Sept. 8 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. SERMs, such as tamoxifen, are widely prescribed to treat breast cancer. Another SERM, raloxifene, is widely prescribed for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Almost two-thirds of the population experience GERD during the course of a year, while 20 percent to 30 percent have problems weekly or even more often. "For a long time, people have thought that female hormones are in some way associated with heartburn," said study author Dr. Brian Jacobson, an assistant professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine. "Women who are pregnant, even in the first trimester before a great big belly pushes on the stomach, already experience heartburn." In addition, women on Oral Contraceptives sometimes experience a relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, which allows stomach acids to rise up into the esophagus. No one, however, had looked to see if exogenous hormones, meaning those that come from outside the body, had an effect on GERD, although some studies have indicated that postmenopau ...

Source: www.fiercebiotech.com --- 33 days ago
Shares of BioSante Pharmaceuticals surged 14 percent this morning after news hit that a mid-stage trial of its Oral contraceptive--Pill-Plus--produced positive data with indications of increased sex drive among the women taking the pill. BioSante is out to prove that its triple-hormone Oral contraceptive can prevent pregnancy without the loss of sexual desire--a common condition among women taking currently available Contraceptives. Pill-Plus combines estrogen and progestogen with a third hormone--an androgen--which is similar to the male testosterone. Adding androgen is expected to address female sexual dysfunction. The therapy is also in development as a patch. "We are pleased with the results to date in the clinical work being carried-out by Pantarhei (which licensed the therapy)," said Stephen M. Simes, BioSante's president and CEO. "We look forward to additional clinical results in the Pill-Plus' development program in 2009." - check out the Biosante release - read the report in Genetic Engineering News Related Articles: Is BioSante in line for a Big Pharma buyout? BioSante Pharma exploring its strategic alternatives The Biotech Haunted House BioSante reports adjuvant success ...

Source: www.americablog.com --- 28 days ago
A reader writes and asks an interesting question. Sarah Palin's town of Wasilla, Alaska, was the only - or at the very least, one of the very few - towns in Alaska to charge rape victims for their own rape kits. Now, rape kits are the medical equipment that the police use to examine rape victims for forensic evidence. During that exam, women are sometimes given Oral Contraceptives to stop or fend off any possible pregnancy that resulted from the rape. (As an aside, the reader asked if sometimes during these exams a fertilized egg is collected as evidence - does anybody have the facts on this?) Now, Sarah Palin's policy on rape is the following - rapist gets your pregnant, too bad, you're going to carry your rapist's child for 9 months whether you like it or not. Palin wants to outlaw all abortion, unless the mother is going to die. You get raped? You don't get an abortion. And extreme conservatives like Sarah Palin consider Oral Contraceptives like RU-486 "abortion." (And if a fertilized egg is collected, they certainly consider that abortion, and murder.) Is this why Sarah Palin was quite possibly the only mayor in Alaska to charge for "rape kits"? She considered treating rape victims a form of abortion? It's been almost a week now that the Obama campaign has ignored this issue. We wrote about it last Monday , a good 5 days ago. Obama said yesterday that the reason he's not hitting back harder against McCain is because he doesn't ...