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Research |
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Hormonal Contraceptives Have Little Effect on Carbohydrate Metabolism in Healthy Women |
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A new Cochrane review from Family Health International suggests that the use of hormonal methods of family planning has little effect on how healthy women metabolize sugars and starches. However, little is known about the effects of these contraceptives on the use of carbohydrates in women at risk for diabetes. This is the first review of randomized controlled trials to consider the impact of hormonal contraceptives on carbohydrate metabolism in women without diabetes. The authors reviewed 24 randomized controlled trials, most of which compared oral contraceptives that varied by type and dose of progestin and estrogen. (Some trials examined other hormonal methods, such as injectables, the vaginal ring, and implants.) Although some progestins caused less disturbance than others on carbohydrate metabolism, none of the effects were considered clinically important. Unfortunately, no trials were available to determine whether hormonal contraceptives had a greater effect on metabolism in overweight women, who are at higher risk of diabetes. Because diabetes is a disease in which the body does not properly use carbohydrates, any significant changes in metabolism could be a reason for concern. Read more about this systematic review, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Source |
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