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Australasian Psychiatry : Bulletin of... Dec 2022
Topics: Female; Humans; Contraceptives, Oral
PubMed: 36154306
DOI: 10.1177/10398562221127828 -
Science Translational Medicine Dec 2019Poor patient adherence to oral contraceptives is the predominant cause of failure of these therapies, leading to unplanned pregnancies that can negatively affect female...
Poor patient adherence to oral contraceptives is the predominant cause of failure of these therapies, leading to unplanned pregnancies that can negatively affect female health worldwide. To improve patient adherence, we developed an oral contraceptive that is administered once a month. Here, we describe the design and report in vivo characterization of a levonorgestrel-releasing gastric resident dosage form in pigs.
Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Contraceptives, Oral; Dosage Forms; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Liberation; Female; Levonorgestrel; Swine
PubMed: 31801885
DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aay2602 -
Experimental Physiology Dec 2023The present study evaluated cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) across the menstrual/pill cycle in naturally menstruating women (NAT women) and women using oral...
The present study evaluated cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) across the menstrual/pill cycle in naturally menstruating women (NAT women) and women using oral hormonal contraceptives (OCP women). In 21 NAT women (23 ± 4 years old) and 22 OCP women (23 ± 3 years old), cardiovagal BRS and circulating concentrations of estradiol and progesterone were evaluated during the lower hormone (early follicular/placebo pill) and higher hormone (late follicular to early luteal/active pill) phases. During the lower hormone phase, cardiovagal BRS up, down and mean gain were lower in NAT women (15.6 ± 8.3, 15.2 ± 6.1 and 15.1 ± 7.1 ms/mmHg) compared with OCP women (24.7 ± 9.4, 22.9 ± 8.0 and 23.0 ± 8.0 ms/mmHg) (P = 0.003, P = 0.002 and P = 0.003, respectively), and higher oestrogen (R = 0.15, P = 0.024), but not progesterone (R = 0.06, P = 0.18), concentrations were predictive of lower BRS mean gain. During the higher hormone phase, higher progesterone concentrations were predictive of lower BRS mean gain (R = 0.12, P = 0.024). A multivariate regression model revealed group (NAT or OCP) to be a significant predictor of cardiovagal BRS mean gain in the lower hormone phase when hormone concentrations were adjusted for (R = 0.36, P = 0.0044). The multivariate regression model was not significant during the higher hormone phase (P > 0.05). In summary, cardiovagal BRS is lower in NAT compared with OCP women during the lower hormone phase of the menstrual/pill cycle and might be associated with higher oestrogen concentrations. In contrast, during the higher hormone phase of the menstrual/OCP cycle, higher progesterone concentrations were predictive of lower cardiovagal BRS. NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Does cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) differ between naturally menstruating women (NAT women) and women using oral contraceptives (OCP women)? What is the main finding and its importance? The main findings are as follows: (1) NAT women exhibit lower cardiovagal BRS than OCP women during the lower hormone phase of the menstrual or pill cycle; and (2) circulating oestrogen concentrations are significant predictors of cardiovagal BRS during the lower hormone phase, with higher oestrogen concentrations predicting lower BRS. The present data advance our understanding of the effect of endogenous ovarian hormones and OCP use on cardiovascular control mechanisms.
Topics: Humans; Female; Young Adult; Adult; Progesterone; Menstruation; Baroreflex; Estradiol; Contraceptives, Oral; Estrogens
PubMed: 37878751
DOI: 10.1113/EP091394 -
Physiological Reports Jul 2022Women experience fluctuating orthostatic intolerance during the menstrual cycle, suggesting sex hormones may influence cerebral blood flow. Young (aged 18-30) healthy...
Women experience fluctuating orthostatic intolerance during the menstrual cycle, suggesting sex hormones may influence cerebral blood flow. Young (aged 18-30) healthy women, either taking oral contraceptives (OC; n = 14) or not taking OC (NOC; n = 12), were administered hypercapnic gas (5%) for 5 min in the low hormone (LH; placebo pill) and high hormone (HH; active pill) menstrual phases. Hemodynamic and cerebrovascular variables were continuously measured. Cerebral blood velocity changes were monitored using transcranial doppler ultrasound of the middle cerebral artery to determine cerebrovascular reactivity. Cerebral autoregulation was assessed using steady-state analysis (static cerebral autoregulation) and transfer function analysis (dynamic cerebral autoregulation; dCA). In response to hypercapnia, menstrual phase did not influence static cardiovascular or cerebrovascular responses (all p > 0.07); however, OC users had a greater increase of mean middle cerebral artery blood velocity compared to NOC (NOC-LH 12 ± 6 cm/s vs. NOC-HH 16 ± 9 cm/s; OC-LH 18 ± 5 cm/s vs. OC-HH 17 ± 11 cm/s; p = 0.048). In all women, hypercapnia improved high frequency (HF) and very low frequency (VLF) cerebral autoregulation (decreased nGain; p = 0.002 and <0.001, respectively), whereas low frequency (LF) Phase decreased in NOC-HH (p = 0.001) and OC-LH (p = 0.004). Therefore, endogenous sex hormones reduce LF dCA during hypercapnia in the HH menstrual phase. In contrast, pharmaceutical sex hormones (OC use) have no acute influence (HH menstrual phase) yet elicit a chronic attenuation of LF dCA (LH menstrual phase) during hypercapnia.
Topics: Contraceptives, Oral; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Hypercapnia; Menstrual Cycle; Middle Cerebral Artery
PubMed: 35822289
DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15373 -
Nicotine & Tobacco Research : Official... Apr 2019Evidence continues to mount indicating that endogenous sex hormones (eg, progesterone and estradiol) play a significant role in smoking-related outcomes. Although... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Evidence continues to mount indicating that endogenous sex hormones (eg, progesterone and estradiol) play a significant role in smoking-related outcomes. Although approximately one out of four premenopausal smokers use oral contraceptives (OCs), which significantly alter progesterone and estradiol levels, relatively little is known about how OCs may influence smoking-related outcomes. Thus, the goal of this review article is to describe the state of the literature and offer recommendations for future directions.
METHODS
In March 2017, we searched seven databases, with a restriction to articles written in English, using the following keywords: nicotine, smoker(s), smoking, tobacco, cigarettes, abstinence, withdrawal, and craving(s). We did not restrict on the publication date, type, or study design.
RESULTS
A total of 13 studies were identified. Three studies indicated faster nicotine metabolism in OC users compared to nonusers. Five of six laboratory studies that examined physiological stress response noted heightened response in OC users compared to nonusers. Three studies examined cessation-related symptomatology (eg, craving) with mixed results. One cross-sectional study observed greater odds of current smoking among OC users, and no studies have explored the relationship between OC use and cessation outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
Relatively few studies were identified on the role of OCs in smoking-related outcomes. Future work could explore the relationship between OC use and mood, stress, weight gain, and brain function/connectivity, as well as cessation outcomes. Understanding the role of OC use in these areas may lead to the development of novel smoking cessation interventions for premenopausal women.
IMPLICATIONS
This is the first review of the relationship between oral contraceptives (OCs) and smoking-related outcomes. The existing literature suggests that the use of OCs is related to increased nicotine metabolism and physiological stress response. However, the relationship between OC use and smoking-related symptoms (eg, craving) is mixed. Further, no published data were available on OC use and smoking cessation outcomes. Therefore, we recommend additional research be conducted to characterize the relationship between OC use and smoking cessation outcomes, perhaps as a function of the effect of OC use on mood, stress, weight gain, and brain function/connectivity.
Topics: Affect; Brain; Cigarette Smoking; Contraceptives, Oral; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Forecasting; Humans; Smoking Cessation
PubMed: 29165663
DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntx258 -
Journal of Applied Physiology... Sep 2023Previous research has identified sex differences in substrate oxidation during submaximal aerobic exercise including a lower respiratory exchange ratio (RER) in females...
Previous research has identified sex differences in substrate oxidation during submaximal aerobic exercise including a lower respiratory exchange ratio (RER) in females compared with males. These differences may be related to differences in sex hormones. Our purpose was to examine the impact of the natural menstrual cycle (NAT) and second- and third-generation oral contraceptive pill (OCP2 and OCP3) cycle phases on substrate oxidation during rest and submaximal aerobic exercise. Fifty female participants (18 NAT, 17 OCP2, and 15 OCP3) performed two experimental trials that coincided with the low (i.e., nonactive pill/early follicular) and the high hormone (i.e., active pill/midluteal) phase of their cycle. RER and carbohydrate and lipid oxidation rates were determined from gas exchange measurements performed during 10 min of supine rest, 5 min of seated rest, and two 8-min bouts of submaximal cycling exercise at ∼40% and ∼65% of peak oxygen uptake (V̇o). For all groups, there were no differences in RER between the low and high hormone phases during supine rest (0.73 ± 0.05 vs. 0.74 ± 0.05), seated rest (0.72 ± 0.04 vs. 0.72 ± 0.04), exercise at 40% (0.77 ± 0.04 vs. 0.78 ± 0.04), and 65% V̇o (0.85 ± 0.04 vs. 0.86 ± 0.03; > 0.19 for all). Similarly, carbohydrate and lipid oxidation rates remained largely unchanged across phases during both rest and exercise, apart from higher carbohydrate oxidation in NAT vs. OCP2 at 40% V̇o ( = 0.019) and 65% V̇o ( = 0.001). NAT and OCPs do not appear to largely influence substrate oxidation at rest and during acute submaximal aerobic exercise. This study was the first to examine the influence of NAT and two generations of OCPs on substrate oxidation during rest and acute submaximal aerobic exercise. We reported no differences across cycle phases or groups on RER, and minimal impact on carbohydrate or lipid oxidation apart from an increase in carbohydrate oxidation in NAT compared with OCP2 during exercise. Based on these findings, NAT/OCP phase controls may not be necessary in studies investigating substrate oxidation.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Menstrual Cycle; Exercise; Hormones; Contraceptives, Oral; Lipids; Carbohydrates; Oxygen Consumption
PubMed: 37498292
DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00111.2023 -
International Journal of Cancer Nov 2014There is an unexplained strong male predominance in the aetiology of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC). The hypothesis that oestrogens are protective, deserves attention.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
There is an unexplained strong male predominance in the aetiology of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC). The hypothesis that oestrogens are protective, deserves attention. A potential protective influence of exogenous oestrogen exposure, that is, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and oral contraceptives (OC) has been addressed only in studies of limited statistical power, and the individual studies have not provided conclusive results. We conducted a systematic literature search and meta-analysis on HRT and OC and the risk of OAC. We used the databases PubMed and the Web of Science. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by the Mantel-Haenszel random-effect method. A total of five studies were included. Compared to never users, ever users of HRT had a statistically significantly decreased risk of OAC (pooled OR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.58-0.98), and ever users of OC had a borderline significantly decreased risk of this cancer (pooled OR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.57-1.00). In conclusion, HRT and OC use seems to be associated with a decreased risk of OAC. However, further research is warranted.
Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Contraceptives, Oral; Esophageal Neoplasms; Female; Hormone Replacement Therapy; Humans; Male; Prognosis; Risk Factors
PubMed: 24676860
DOI: 10.1002/ijc.28869 -
Reproductive Biomedicine Online Jan 2015Worldwide, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists are gaining ground, and the number of patients being treated for IVF with a GnRH antagonist is increasing.... (Review)
Review
Worldwide, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists are gaining ground, and the number of patients being treated for IVF with a GnRH antagonist is increasing. Cycle planning in GnRH antagonist IVF cycles has been a challenge. During the past 2 years, debate has been ongoing about the possible disadvantages of oral contraceptive pill (OCP) pre-treatment in GnRH antagonist IVF cycles. A recent meta-analysis clearly showed a significant decrease in ongoing pregnancy rates between patients who received OCP pre-treatment and those who did not. In this review, the published meta-analysis are is evaluated. It is argued that caution must be exercised in drawing conclusions too quckly on whether or not OCP pre-treatment might have a negative effect on outcome in GnRH antagonist IVF cycles.
Topics: Birth Rate; Contraceptives, Oral; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Hormone Antagonists; Humans; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Ovulation Induction; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 25447926
DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2014.09.010 -
Psychoneuroendocrinology Feb 2022Some research suggests that oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) blunt the cortisol stress response, thus OCP users are often excluded from stress research. The current study... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Some research suggests that oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) blunt the cortisol stress response, thus OCP users are often excluded from stress research. The current study examined changes in salivary cortisol among females taking OCPs and naturally cycling (NC) females after exposure to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST).
METHODS
The literature search included the terms "oral contraceptives" OR "oral contraception" OR "birth control" OR "birth control pill" AND "Trier Social Stress Test" OR "TSST" AND "cortisol" OR "salivary cortisol." A total of 14 studies with 36 independent samples were included in the meta-analysis. Participant information, including pre- and post- TSST measures of salivary cortisol, and subgroup (i.e., OCP or menstrual cycle phase), were extracted. Additional study characteristics including age, length of stressor, type of OCP, time of day the cortisol samples were collected, and type of cortisol assay used were also considered.
RESULTS
Findings from the current meta-analysis indicated that changes in salivary cortisol in NC participants following the TSST, D = 4.31, SE = 0.53, 95% CI = 3.27, 5.35, were greater than the changes observed in participants on OCPs D = 1.50, SE = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.91, 2.09. Study effects were heterogeneous, Fisher's Z = 10.87, Q = 620.57, p = < 0.001. Between-phase analyses were also conducted.
CONCLUSIONS
Results demonstrate that OCPs blunt cortisol reactivity relative to NC females. There was significant heterogeneity, except between OCP and follicular phase groups. Implications for research design and methodology are discussed.
Topics: Contraceptives, Oral; Female; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Psychological Tests; Saliva; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 34922094
DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105626 -
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine &... Mar 2020To examine whether the menstrual or monophasic oral contraceptive cycle phases affect submaximal (oxygen uptake ( O ) kinetics, maximal lactate steady-state (MLSS)) and...
To examine whether the menstrual or monophasic oral contraceptive cycle phases affect submaximal (oxygen uptake ( O ) kinetics, maximal lactate steady-state (MLSS)) and maximal ( O , time-to-exhaustion (TTE)) responses to exercise in healthy, active women. During the mid-follicular or inactive-pill phase and the mid-luteal or active-pill phase of the respective menstrual or oral contraceptive cycle, 15 non-oral contraceptive users (mean and standard deviation (SD) (±): 27 ± 6 years; 171 ± 5 cm; 65 ± 7 kg) and 15 monophasic oral contraceptive users (24 ± 4 years; 169 ± 10 cm; 68 ± 10 kg) performed: one O kinetics test; one ramp-incremental test; two to three 30-minute constant-load cycling trials to determine the power output corresponding to MLSS (MLSS ), followed by a TTE trial. The phase of the menstrual or oral contraceptive cycle did not affect the time constant of the O kinetics response (τ O ) (mid-follicular, 20 ± 5 seconds and mid-luteal, 18 ± 3 seconds; inactive-pill, 22 ± 8 seconds and active-pill, 23 ± 6 seconds), O (mid-follicular, 3.06 ± 0.32 L min and mid-luteal, 3.00 ± 0.33 L min ; inactive-pill, 2.87 ± 0.39 L min and active-pill, 2.87 ± 0.45 L min ), MLSS (mid-follicular, 181 ± 30 W and mid-luteal, 182 ± 29 W; inactive-pill, 155 ± 26 W and active-pill, 155 ± 27 W), and TTE (mid-follicular, 147 ± 42 seconds and mid-luteal, 128 ± 54 seconds; inactive-pill, 146 ± 70 seconds and active-pill, 139 ± 77 seconds) (P > .05). The rate of perceived exertion (RPE) at minute 30 of the MLSS trials was greater in the mid-follicular phase (6.2 ± 1.5) compared with the mid-luteal phase (5.3 ± 1.4) for non-oral contraceptive users (P = .022). The hormonal fluctuations between the menstrual and oral contraceptive cycle phases had no detectable effects on submaximal and maximal exercise performance, even when RPE differed.
Topics: Adult; Athletic Performance; Contraceptives, Oral; Exercise; Female; Humans; Lactic Acid; Menstrual Cycle; Oxygen Consumption; Young Adult
PubMed: 31663173
DOI: 10.1111/sms.13590