Comparative Study of the Effects of the Use of Combined Oral Pills and Progestin-Only Pills in Nigerian Females
[1]
Anslem O. Ajugwo, Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Madonna University Elele, Nigeria.
[2]
Teddy C. Adias, Bayelsa State College of Health Technology Ogbia, Nigeria.
[3]
Tosan A. Erhabor, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) Abuja, Nigeria.
[4]
Andre M. Abouo, Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Madonna University Elele, Nigeria.
[5]
Fredrick C. Anolue, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Imo State University Teaching Hospital Orlu, Nigeria.
[6]
Ikechukwu R. A. Nnadozie, Dept. of Parasitology/Microbiology, Imo State University Teaching Hospital Orlu, Nigeria.
This study involved fifty apparently healthy females on oral contraceptives (test) and another fifty apparently healthy females not on oral contraceptives (control). Both groups were aged 16-40 years of age. The test group have been on oral contraceptive for at least 5 months. Test group was grouped into progestin-only pill (POP) users and combined oral pill (COP) users. The following parameters were analyzed, packed cell volume (PCV), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Haemoglobin Estimation (Hb), Red cell indices, total white blood count (TWBC) and platelet count using standard manual methods. The results showed significant increase (P<0.05) in platelet counts, ESR and TWBC when compared with control. Significant difference (p<0.05) was also seen in platelet count and WBC when progestin-only pill (POP) users were compared with combined oral pill (COP) users. These findings suggest that oral contraceptive (OC) users could be predisposed to thrombosis with COP users having greater risk than POP users.
Oral Contraceptives, Thrombosis, Nigerian Females
[1]
British Medical Association (2002). Illustrated Medical Dictionary. Dorling Kindersley, London.
[2]
Chrousos, G. P. (2007). The gonadal hormones and inhibitors. In: Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. Katzung, B. G. (ed). 10th edition. McGraw-Hill Companies.
[3]
Kaunitz, A. M. (2005). Beyond the pill: new data and options in hormonal and intrauterine contraception. Am J Obstet Gynecol 192: 998 – 1004.
[4]
Chapter 32: 'Contraception' in Cunningham G et al.(2005) Williams Obstetrics 22nd Edition, McGraw-Hill Companies.
[5]
Inman, W. H. W., Vessey, M. P., Westerholm, B. and Engelund, A. (1970). Thromboembolic disease and the estradiol content of oral contraceptives – A report to the committee on safety of drugs. Br. Med. J. ii: 203-209.
[6]
Godsland, I. F., Seed, M., Simpson, R., Broom, G. and Wynn, V. (1983). Comparison of haematological indices between women of four ethnic groups and the effect of oral contraceptives. J. Clin. Pathol. 36: 184 – 191.
[7]
Cheesbrough, M. (2000). Haematological tests. In: District laboratory practice in tropical countries. Part 2 Cambridge University Press U.K., 297.
[8]
Alexander, M.K and Curickshank, J. (1970). The effect of age purity, haemoglobin level and oral contraceptives on normal leucocyte count. British Journal of Hematology. 18:541.
[9]
Al-Chalaby, S. H., Taib, S. M. and Ahmed, A. F. (2006). The effect of oral contraceptive pills on haematological indices. Tikrit Medical Journal. 12 (1): 65 –69.
[10]
Vessey M.P and Dill, R. (1968). Investigating of relationship between use of oral contraceptives and thromboembolic disease. British Journal 2:199.
[11]
Brown, S. and Cropfield, O. (1995).The case for a lower dose pill. Assessing the impact of estrogen dose. Orgyn. 2: 36 – 39.
[12]
Spona, J., Feichtinger, W., Kindermann, C., Schneider, B., Mellinger, U. and Walter, F. (1997). Double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled study on the effects of the monophasic oral contraceptive containing 30 micrograms ethinyl estradiol and 2.00 mg dienogest on the hemostatic system. Contraception.56(2):67-75.
[13]
Quehenberger, P., Loner, U., Kapiotis, S., Handler, S., Schneider, B., Huber, J. and Speiser, W. (1996). Increased levels of activated factor VII and decreased plasma protein S activity and circulating thrombomodulin during use of oral contraceptives. Thromb Haemost. 76(5):729-34.
[14]
Winkler, U.H., Schindler, A. E., Endrikat, J. and Düsterberg, B. (1996). A comparative study of the effects of the hemostatic system of two monophasic gestodene oral contraceptives containing 20 micrograms and 30 micrograms ethinylestradiol. Contraception. 53(2):75-84.
[15]
Coata, G., Ventura, F., Lombardini, R., Ciuffetti, G., Cosmi, E. V. and Di Renzo, G. C. (1995). Effect of low-dose oral triphasic contraceptives on blood viscosity, coagulation and lipid metabolism. Contraception. 52(3):151-7.
[16]
Mooij, P. N., Thomas, C. M., Doesburg, W. H. and Eskes, T. K. (1992). The effects of oral contraceptives and multivitamin supplementation on serum ferritin and hematological parameters. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol. 30(2):57-62.
[17]
Burton, J. L. (1967). Effect of contraceptive on haemoglobin, packed cell volume, serum iron and total iron-binding capacity in healthy women. Lancet. 289 (7497): 978 – 980.
[18]
Paton, A. (1969). Oral contraceptives and foliate deficiency. Lancet. 22:418.
[19]
Fisch, I. R. and Frank, J. (1977). Oral contraceptives and blood pressure. JAMA. 237(23): 2499 – 2503.