LIPID PROFILE IN FEMALES OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE GROUP USING COMBINED ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS

Background: all available contraception methods have both advantages and disadvantages and it is up to the health provider to make a rational choice. the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of combined oral contraceptive pills on lipid profile in females of reproductive age group. material & methods: this comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at lahore general hospital, lahore. a total of 250 married fertile women in their reproductive age were selected. they were divided in two groups: group 1 (controls) and group 2 (combined oral contraceptive users at least for one year). lipid profile was measured using standard kits. low density lipoprotein-cholesterol was calculated with fried wald equation. results were analyzed by using student’s t test. results: the mean age of the patients in group 1 was 30.8±6.5 and group 2 was 30.8±6.2 years. for subjects in group 1 and group 2 the mean concentration of serum total cholesterol was 177.9±40.8 and 194.1±53.0mg/ dl, respectively. it was significantly increased in group 2 as compared to group 1 (p=0.01). the serum triglycerides were 129.1±27.7 and 153.5±28.3mg/dl, respectively, highly significantly increased in group 2 as compared to group 1 (p<0.001). serum hdl-c was 53.1±7.6 and 52.8±8.3mg/dl in the two groups respectively. it was insignificantly decreased in group 2 (p=0.8). serum ldl-c was 130.0±14.9 and 123.1±14.6.0mg/dl, respectively. this difference was highly significantly (p<0.001). conclusion: combined oral contraceptive pills adversely affect the lipid profile in females of child bearing age