Hypertriglyceridemia During Treatment with Estrogen and Oral Contraceptives

Abstract

Impaired glucose tolerance in 49 women taking Envoid (5 mg norethynodrel, .075 mg mestranol) is reported and evidence that mestranol is the disposing factor is presented. 23 of 38 (61%) women who had taken the drug for more than 10 months had triglyceride levels greater than 110 mg/100 ml. Generally, triglyceride levels increased with the duration of treatment. However, cholesterol levels were not markedly increased. Administration of mestranol alone resulted in a prompt increase in plasma triglyceride levels. Except for 1 woman who had been under long-term Enovid treatment, triglyceride levels returned to normal soon after discontinuation of treatment. The results suggest that hypertriglyceridemia resulting from oral contraceptives containing estrogens is due to an alteration in liver function.