ContraceptionOral contraception and cardiovascular risk factors during adolescence
Introduction
Epidemiological data on oral contraceptive (OC) use during adolescence are scarce, although respectively, two studies have estimated a prevalence equal to 17 and 28% in 16-year-olds [1], [2]. However, this medication might have effects on the users’ cardiovascular risk factors. Many studies have analyzed and reviewed them in adult women [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]. In particular, the effects of third-generation pills on the risk of thromboembolism or myocardial infarction have been carefully studied [8], [9], [10], [11], [12]. Little is known on the health effects of OC use during adolescence. In particular, OC users from this age group have often a different lifestyle from the other girls. The combination between these factors and OC use might have an influence on their health. The objective of the current study was therefore to analyze the association between OC use and other cardiovascular risk factors in a population of Belgian adolescents.
Section snippets
Survey population
The present survey was carried out in the southern part of Belgium i.e., the province of Luxembourg. Eligibility criteria were age (12–17 years), Belgian nationality, and residence in the province. The participants were recruited by a multiclustered sampling technique. First, twenty-four secondary schools were randomly selected out of the 48 schools in the province. Secondly, a type of education was selected in each school. Belgian adolescents have the choice between higher learning education
Results
Six-hundred-fifty-two girls (83.7%, n = 652) had had their menarche. The median age of menarche was 12.7 years. Fourteen per cent of mature girls (14%, n = 92) were OC users and the mean duration of use was 11 months (95% CI: 1–36 months). The prevalence of OC use increased from 2 to 34% between 14 and 17 years of age (respectively, 2%, 11%, 18%, and 34% in 14, 15, 16, and 17 year olds) (Table 2). Table 3 summarizes the formulas of the OC used by the participants. Most of them used low-dose
Discussion
The first objective of the present study was to analyze the prevalence of OC use in this adolescent population. The participants represented 8% of the adolescents of the province and the participation rate was high (83.6%). A quarter (26%) of the teenagers aged 16–17 years was OC user. This proportion is similar to the proportion obtained in a sample of 16-year-old Finnish girls but lower than the prevalence recorded in a study from The Netherlands [1], [2]. The last Belgian Health Interview
Conclusion
OC use in teenagers deserves special attention given its high prevalence coupled with potential health consequences (including the associated lifestyle habits). In particular, this study has shown that the level of total cholesterol was significantly higher in OC users than in non-users. Further studies should analyze the impact on the lipoprotein profile. Moreover, OC users are frequently also smokers, despite the well-known risks of this association. All physicians should be aware of this
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ERICA: cardiovascular risks associated with oral contraceptive use among Brazilian adolescents
2022, Jornal de PediatriaCitation Excerpt :Since then, there have been significant changes in the doses and types of hormones used in order to reduce the adverse cardiovascular and metabolic effects caused by these drugs,1 nevertheless, until today there are some reports about the increased risk of these potentially life-threatening vascular experiences in this population.2–5 In adolescents, such outcomes are not observed, however, metabolic changes and risk factors for unwanted future cardiovascular events have been reported, particularly increased blood pressure and dyslipidemia.6–9 Besides that, frequently the beginning of undesirable lifestyle behaviors with risk of cardiovascular diseases such as smoking occur before adulthood.10
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2009, Best Practice and Research: Clinical Obstetrics and GynaecologyCitation Excerpt :Women need to be informed that the risk of VTE during pregnancy is far greater than the risk when using COCs. COC users have been found to have significantly higher total cholesterol, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides compared with non-users, but the clinical significance of this is unclear.47,63 COCs have greater influence on the blood lipid profiles in users under 25 years of age than in older women.
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