The Impact of Intermediate-Term Oral Contraceptive Use on Oxidative Stress, Lipid Profile, and Liver Function

In a new study conducted in Maysan Governorate, Iraq, researchers explore the effects of intermediate-term use of the oral contraceptive pill Yasmin on oxidative stress, lipid profiles, and liver function.

The research, published in Exploratory Research and Hypothesis in Medicine, aimed to assess the potential metabolic and hepatic consequences of Yasmin. To achieve this, a case-control study was conducted involving 150 women—100 who were using Yasmin and 50 who were not. Blood samples were collected from Al-Sadr Teaching Hospital and a specialized clinic between February and April 2023, with serum levels of antioxidants, lipids, and liver enzymes measured through biochemical assays.

Findings indicated that women using Yasmin had significantly lower levels of glutathione peroxidase, vitamin E, and uric acid compared to those not using oral contraceptives (p < 0.001). In terms of lipid profiles, OCP users exhibited higher levels of triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (p < 0.05), while non-users had significantly higher total cholesterol levels (p < 0.05). However, liver enzyme activity—including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total serum bilirubin—did not show statistically significant differences between the two groups (p > 0.05).

Further analysis revealed that longer use of Yasmin correlated negatively with vitamin E levels (r = −0.67), glutathione peroxidase activity (r = −0.56), uric acid levels (r = −0.45), and high-density lipoprotein (r = −0.54). Conversely, longer duration of use showed positive correlations with total cholesterol (r = 0.62), triglycerides (r = 0.58), LDL (r = 0.60), and liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (r = 0.66) and aspartate aminotransferase (r = 0.64).

These findings suggest that intermediate-term use of Yasmin may lead to alterations in oxidative stress markers and lipid metabolism, potentially increasing cardiovascular and metabolic risks. The study’s researchers recommended regular monitoring of these parameters for women using oral contraceptives to assess and mitigate any potential health concerns.