However , subgroup analyses for the estrogen dose and the progestin type in relation to changes in SHBG levels did show significant differences : COCs containing second generation progestins and /or the lower estrogen doses ( 20–25 µg EE ) were found to have less impact on SHBG concentrations .
The current literature review and meta- analysis demonstrates that COCs decrease circulating levels of total T and free T and increase SBHG concentrations .
Due to the SHBG increase , free T levels decrease twice as much as total T. The estrogen dose and progestin type of the COC do not influence the decline of total and free T , but both affect SHBG .
BACKGROUND Combined oral contraceptives ( COCs ) reduce levels of and rogen , especially testosterone ( T ) , by inhibiting ovarian and adrenal and rogen synthesis and by increasing levels of sex hormone-binding globulin ( SHBG ) .
Although this suppressive effect has been investigated by numerous studies over many years , to our knowledge no systematic review concerning this issue had been performed .
Sex hormone binding globulin, cortisol binding globulin, thyroxine binding globulin, ceruloplasmin: changes in treatment with two oral contraceptives low in oestrogen.
It is generally assumed that the oral contraceptives cause the carrier proteins to change . Notoriously this effect is used to evaluate indirectly their estrogenicity/gestagenicity ratio . In order to assess the residual intrinsic and rogenic activity of two new 19-nor-derivative components , Desogestrel ( DG ) 150 micrograms and Gestodene ( GD ) 75 micrograms , both in association with Ethinylestradiol ( EE ) 30 micrograms , Sex Hormone Binding Globulin , Thyroxine Binding Globulin , Ceruloplasmin and Free And rogen Index ( FAI ) , were studied in 40 young normally cycling healthy volunteers , matched for body mass index and age . The participants were r and omly assigned to either EE-DG or EE-GD treatment . A marked significant increase in all the carrier proteins was found . Conversely , the values for FAI decreased significantly . The changes in the two groups were substantially of the same magnitude . These results are an indirect confirmation of the well-known negligible receptor binding affinity of the two progestogen in vitro , also supporting for these compounds the lack of relevant and rogenic effects
However , subgroup analyses for the estrogen dose and the progestin type in relation to changes in SHBG levels did show significant differences : COCs containing second generation progestins and /or the lower estrogen doses ( 20–25 µg EE ) were found to have less impact on SHBG concentrations .
The current literature review and meta- analysis demonstrates that COCs decrease circulating levels of total T and free T and increase SBHG concentrations .
Due to the SHBG increase , free T levels decrease twice as much as total T. The estrogen dose and progestin type of the COC do not influence the decline of total and free T , but both affect SHBG .
BACKGROUND Combined oral contraceptives ( COCs ) reduce levels of and rogen , especially testosterone ( T ) , by inhibiting ovarian and adrenal and rogen synthesis and by increasing levels of sex hormone-binding globulin ( SHBG ) .
Although this suppressive effect has been investigated by numerous studies over many years , to our knowledge no systematic review concerning this issue had been performed .