Effect of continuous combined estrogen and desogestrel hormone replacement therapy on serum lipids and lipoproteins.

Abstract

This combination of hormone replacement therapy had profound effects on serum lipids and lipoproteins. According to current concepts, reductions in total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoprotein (a) may reduce cardiovascular disease risk. The reduction in HDL was unexpected, given the rise in HDL that has been demonstrated when desogestrel is combined with ethinyl estradiol in the contraceptive pill. The lowering of HDL observed in this study is undesirable and may be potentially harmful. Our results indicate that when desogestrel 0.15 mg/day is combined with micronized 17 beta-E2 1 mg/day in a continuous manner, the effects of the progestogen on HDL predominate and cause a reduction in HDL and the HDL2 subfraction.