Comparison of CVD Risk Associated With the Long Term Use of Contraceptives in Young Females

Article history: Received on: 15/10/2012 Revised on: 29/10/2012 Accepted on: 08/11/2012 Available online: 28/11/2012 The purpose of the present study is to compare the extent of cardiovascular atherosclerotic risk associated with the lipid metabolism in women using hormonal contraceptives in urban population of low socio-economic group. Type of Study was cross sectional. Fifty-four young females of age ranging from 26-32 years maintained on Oral contraceptives (OC), Depo-medroxy progesterone (DMPA), Norethisterone (NET-EN), Implant and non hormonal intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) for at least one year were invited. Fasting blood samples were collected for the analysis of lipid parameters. Castelli indices I & II were also calculated to determine the CVD risk. All the results were entered in MS-Excel and mean ± standard deviation was calculated for each frequency. The result of Castelli indices showed that the use of OCs was associated with the highest atherogenic index followed by NET-EN, IUCD, DMPA and implant. The CVD risk may also be attributable to other life style factors as it was not drastically different among hormonal and non hormonal users. Though the risk in this group of young females maintained on contraceptives was found to be minimized because of good monitoring but continuation of hormonal methods might cause this slight predisposition to sub clinical CVD into a well defined atherosclerotic disease later in their lives. It is therefore recommended to use such methods under close monitoring and over the counter use of hormonal contraceptives should be discouraged.