| Abstract: | The effects of 2 types of oral contraceptives (OCs) on plasma lipids in 45 healthy women were studied. The women received 1 mg lynestrenol plus .1 mg mestranol (Days 5-27), 4 mg megesterol acetate plus .05 mg ethinyl estradiol (Days 5-26), or .05 mg megesterol acetate daily for 3 months. Blood samples were collected prior to medication and subsequently in each of 3 consecutive cycles during medication between Days 23 and 26. The only change observed was a significant rise (p .05) in beta lipoproteins with a corresponding decline in alpha lipoproteins in the group receiving lynestrenol plus mestranol. It is concluded that if the desired efficacy and minimum clinical side effects can be obtained, either progestogens alone or progestogens with a small dose of estrogen should be the choice of medication. |
