Adrenocortical Function of Patients Using Oral Contraceptives

Abstract

The effects of different oral contraceptives on adrenocortical function were investigated by assaying photofluorimetrically the 11-OHCS content of the plasma during synthetic ACTH (Homactidm) test. The series consisted of 43 women, 27 of whom were taking combined or sequential contraceptives, and 8 low-getagen pills. The remaining 8 patients acted as controls. The plasma 11-OHCS level in the low-gestagen group was the same as that in the control group both before and during the test. The combined type contraceptive pills containing estrogen and gestagen had an elevating effect on the 11-OHCS level of the plasma. The 11-OHCS level in these groups was significantly higher both before and during the ACTH test than the corresponding level in the control group. The difference is assumed to be due to the increased transcorting content of the plasma and to the increased biological half-life of cortisol induced by estrogen.