The Use of Hormonal Contraceptives and Preeclampsia among Ghanaian Pregnant Women

Hormonal contraceptives (HC) are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. The study evaluated the use of HC as a primary cause of preeclampsia (PE) among Ghanaians. This study comprised 30 preeclamptic women and 30 healthy normotensive pregnant women with over 20 weeks of gestation at the Comboni Hospital, Ghana using a randomized case-control study. Blood pressure, weight, height, socio-demographics, medical and previous obstetric history were taken and recorded. Blood samples were collected for the estimation of homocysteine and fasting lipids. Estimated foetal weight (EFW) and infant birthweight (BWT) were obtained from maternal records. This study was carried out in 2019. 80.0% of women with PE used the hormonal contraceptive “depot medroxyprogesterone acetate” (DMPA) prior to pregnancy. The use of DMPA was associated with about thirty-fold increase in the odds of developing PE (OR = 29.71, p < 0.001). Systolic blood pressure (P < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.001), triglycerides (P = 0.024), LDL-C (P = 0.026), and homocysteine levels (P < 0.001) were significantly elevated in the PE cases than the normal pregnant (NP) women, whilst EFW (P < 0.001), BWT (P < 0.001) and HDL-C levels (P = 0.001) were significantly reduced in the PE cases when compared to NP women. 50% and 47% of PE cases had intrauterine growth restriction and low birthweight infants, respectively. In conclusion, DMPA use predisposes women to a high risk of developing PE. DMPA could partly contribute to endothelial dysfunction, hyperhomocysteinaemia, dyslipidaemia and excessive weight gain, all of which characterize PE.

Effect of Hormonal Contraceptives on the Total Antioxidants Status of Women from Isolo, Lagos State, Nigeria

The use of hormonal contraceptives has been implicated in the depletion of serum antioxidants and resultant promotion of oxidative stress which is associated with various disorders including cardiovascular disease and cancer. This study investigated serum total antioxidant status (TAS) in women taking hormonal contraceptives and compared their results with non-contraceptive users (age- and sex-matched). Sixty women aged 30 - 45 years, were enrolled for the study which included forty-five users of hormonal contraceptives from the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria, Isolo, Lagos state and fifteen age-matched, apparently healthy, non-contraceptive users from the same geographical location were selected as controls. The in vitro determination of the serum total antioxidant status (TAS) was performed using Biorex enzymatic kit. Data obtained were statistically analyzed using student’s t-test and P < 0.05 was considered significant. The serum levels of TAS in the users of hormonal contraceptives were significantly lower than non-users (P < 0.05). The study concluded that women on hormonal contraceptives especially those taking either combined oral or combined injectable contraceptives were at risk of developing disorders associated with reduced levels of serum antioxidants.

Constraints in the development of contraceptives for men

Considerable efforts have been made to develop a male contraceptive and the studies have provided very useful infor-mation in this field. At least five different strategies to develop a male contraceptive have been pursued, namely: inhi-bition of sperm production, interference with sperm function, interruption of sperm transport, prevention of sperm de-position, and prevention of sperm-egg interaction. Of all these approaches, inhibition of sperm production by using an-drogens either alone or in combination with progestins have given the most encouraging results. A nmnber of clinicaltrials substantiate that it is indeed possible to have a reversible, effective and safe hormonal method of contraception. Apostmeiotic and epididymal approach to interfere with sperm function or the secretory and metabolic processes of theepididymis is another attractive option of male contraceptive development. A number of chemical compounds have beenidentified which interfere with sperm function in the epididymis without affecting sperm production, however, the com-pounds evaluated so far were found to be toxic. Interruption of sperm transport through the vas either by vasectomy orpercutaneous intmvasal injection of liquids which form cure-in-place plugs is also an attractive option. However, re-versibility of the methods is of concern in their wide scale use. The major constraint in developing a long-acting male contraceptive seems to be the need for greater investment forproduct development. The clinical trials for evaluating the efficacy and safety of the new products and formulationsstretch over several years and require enormous financial commitment. Nevertheless, the long-term gain of having along-acting reversible contraceptive for men is far greater than the financial commitments over few years. Male attitudetowards using methods of family planning is much more favourable than originally believed. The pharmaceutical indus-try as well as the health care providers therefore have a greater responsibility. For early development of a contraceptivefor men, it is essential to increase investment and simplify the drug regulatory procedures. The advent of newer tech-nologies coupled with the convergent efforts of scientists will certainly make it possible to have an effective, safe andreversible male contraceptive in the near future.

Hormonal contraception in Chinese men: variations insuppression of spermatogenesis with injectable testosteroneundecanoate and levonorgestrel implants

Aim: To explore the causes of the difference in spermatogenic suppression between responders and non-responders in Chinese men treated with levonorgestrel (LNG) implants plus testosterone undecanoate (TU) injectable. Methods: The 16 Chinese volunteers treated were divided into two groups in regard to the sperm count during the treatment period, 7 men in the responder group (Group R), including 6 azoospermia and one severe oligozoospermia, and the remaining 9 in the non-responder group (Group N), including 4 oligozoospermia and 5 with sperm counts greater than 20×106/mL. The differences in serum profiles of FSH, LH, T, LNG and T/LH ratio were compared between the two groups and the correlation between the seminal fluid parameters and serum reproductive hormones was analyzed. Results: The serum FSH level was lower in Group R than that in Group N (P<0.05), while the serum LH and LNG levels were higher in Group R than those in Group N (P<0.05). The sperm density (P<0.01, r=0.235), motility (P<0.01, r=0.326) and vitality (P<0.01, r=0.219) showed significantly positive correlation with the serum FSH level. Conclusion: The blood LNG and T levels, the degree of FSH inhibition and/or the sensitivity of the pituitary-testis axis to exogenous steroids, as well as the individual spermatogenetic potential and the functional status of the Leydig cells may be factors bringing about individual differences in spermatogenic suppression in Chinese men treated with LNG and TU.

Retinal vein occlusion associated with combined hormonal contraceptive vaginal ring use

Dear Editor,We read with interest your recent article on the impact of combined oral contraceptives on ocular tissues.We report a case of a branch retinal vein occlusion（BRVO）associated with use of an etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring（NuvaR ing）,an implantable combined hormonal contraceptive,in a young healthy female with no other identifiable risk factors.

Hormonal Contraception and Hypertension at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yalgado Ouédraogo Teaching Hospital: Epidemiological, Clinical and Therapeutic Patterns

Context: The use of hormonal contraceptives could lead to a rise in blood pressure with an onset of hypertension. The objective of the study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic patterns of hypertension occurring in women on hormonal contraception. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study was carried out over a period of 5 years. It involved clients on hormonal contraception who developed hypertension during follow-up at the Family Planning Unit of the Yalgado Ouedraogo Teaching Hospital in Burkina Faso. Results: The global frequency of hypertension in clients on hormonal contraception was 1.8%;it varied depending on the type of methods of contraception used;it was 4.2% for clients on oral combined pills, 1% for implant users and 0.97% for women on injectable. The mean age of patients was 35.6 ± 8.4 years. Sixty-seven patients (84.8%) had mild to moderate hypertension. The mean time to onset of hypertension was respectively seventeen (17), thirty six (36) and thirty eight (38) months for patients on OCPs, CIP, and implants. After the discovery of hypertension, the contraception methods have been changed in 75.9% of cases, stopped in 5.2% of cases and the same contraception method was continued in 8.9% of cases. None of the patients who continued the same contraceptive method had obtained a normalization of blood pressure. Blood pressure was normalized in 48.6% of patients who have changed contraceptive methods. The average time of normalization of the blood pressure varied from three to five months, depending on the method that induces the hypertension. Conclusion: Hypertension on hormonal contraception is not uncommon. It is important to assess the risk factors for its occurrence at the initiation of contraception.

Profile of Implanon~ acceptors and pattern of side effects

Objective To determine the social and biological characteristics of Implanon acceptors at Ibadan Nigeria, and also to describe reasons why they opt for this choice and their concerns. Methods This was a descriptive study that retrospectively reviewed all records of the Implanon acceptors from January 2006 to December 2009 at University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria. Results One hundred and twenty-eight women accepted Implanon as a modern contraception accounting 4.3% of the total number of clients seen （2 972） during the period. The age range of the client that accepted Implanon was 26-43 years with a mean of 33.6 ±2.4 years. Of the 128 Implanon acceptors, 101 （78.9%） had used other contraceptive methods before. The commonest reason for switching to Implanon by clients was failure of the contraceptive method that was previously used （32.7%）. Within the first year follow-up of insertion, none of the Implanon acceptors had expressed desire for removal due to any of the side effects, and none contraceptive failure was observed during their follow-up evaluation. Conclusion The findings suggest that Implanon could safely be used by all women of reproductive age group including those who desire future fertility.