Oral Contraceptives and Glucose Tolerance:A Clinical Study of Three Different Oestrogen-Progestogen Combinations

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Abstract
Three oral contraceptives with different oestrogen‐progestogen combinations were given to 22 women of fertile age. The possible diabetogenic effect was studied after intravenous glucose tolerance test before the treatment was started and after 1, 6 and 12 months of cyclical therapy. All of the women had a normal menstrual cycle before treatment began. They showed none of the features which suggest prediabetes. The k‐ and the T ½ values were calculated. The intra‐individual variation of k between two tolerance tests was calculated on the basis of figures available in the literature. When the k‐value did not rise linearly, attempts were made to calculate the variation within different k‐value ranges. The possible diabetogenic effect of the three different drugs was studied in the light of these calculations. In the cases tested, Drug no. 1, which contained nor‐ethisterone acetate (4 mg) – ethinyloestradiol (0.05 mg) (Anovlar), and Drug no. 2, which contained megestrol acetate (4 mg) – ethinyloestradiol (0.05 mg) (Volidan) did not seem to have any diabetogenic effect. On the other hand, Drug no. 3, which contained ethynodiol acetate (1 mg) – mestranol (0.1 mg) (Ovulen), appears to have had a transient diabetogenic effect. It was slightly evident after one month of treatment, statistically significant after 6 months and practically negligible after 1 year of treatment. Further experiments with specific hormones are indicated. Women in the danger zone, i.e. women who have latent diabetes or are in a prediabetic stage should be included in these investigations.

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