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THE EFFECT OF ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES ON PLASMA CORTISOL AND CORTISOL BINDING CAPACITY THROUGHOUT THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE IN NORMAL WOMEN
Article first published online: 23 AUG 2005
DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1976.tb00750.x
Issue
1471-0528/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=b4e1d96c46e18c61210d584b63c13ee375cf562b "BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology")
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Volume 83, Issue 10, pages 814–818, October 1976
Additional Information
How to Cite
Durber, S. M., Lawson, J. and Daly, J. R. (1976), THE EFFECT OF ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES ON PLASMA CORTISOL AND CORTISOL BINDING CAPACITY THROUGHOUT THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE IN NORMAL WOMEN. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 83: 814–818. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1976.tb00750.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 23 AUG 2005
- Article first published online: 23 AUG 2005
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Summary
Plasma cortisol and cortisol binding capacity (CBC) was measured throughout the menstrual cycle in 25 healthy women aged between 20 and 35 years. Ten women were taking an oral contraceptive containing 50 μg oestrogen and progestogen (‘combined pill’), one patient took a progestogen-only contraceptive and 14 served as controls. Despite the low oestrogen content of the combined pill the level of plasma cortisol and CBC were significantly higher than in controls at all stages of the cycle, and the cortisol/CBC ratio greater than unity during most of it. Levels in the woman taking a progestogen-only contraceptive were indistinguishable from controls. The plasma cortisol and CBC levels were significantly higher in the last week of the cycle than in the first in the combined pill group, but there was no significant variation in the controls.