A randomized controlled double-blind study of the effects on hemostasis of two progestogen-only pills containing 75μg desogestrel or 30μg levonorgestrel

The effects of two progestogen-only pills containing either 75 mu g desogestrel (DSG) or 30 mu g levonorgestrel (LNG) on hemostasis were investigated in a double-blind randomized, controlled study of seven treatment cycles in 78 healthy women. DSG reduced factor Vii activity (p <0.05) and prothrombin fragment 1+2 (p <0.05) and increased protein S (p <0.001). LNG reduced factor VII activity (p < 0.01) and plasminogen activity (p <0.01) and increased tissue-plasminogen activator (t-PA) (p <0. 05). At the end of the post-treatment cycle with DSG, protein S (p <0. 01) and t-PA (p <0.05) were increased and plasminogen activity was decreased (p <0.05), whereas with LNG, t-PA was increased (p <0.001) and prothrombin fragment 1+2 (p <0.05) and plasminogen activity (p <0.001) were decreased. Between-group comparisons revealed higher values for DSG regarding the anticoagulatory parameter protein S at cycle 7 (p <0.02) and post-treatment assessments (p <0. 05), and the fibrinolytic parameter plasmin-antiplasmin complex was higher with DSG at cycle 7 (p <0. 05) and at post-treatment (p <0.05). Both preparations had comparable and potentially favorable effects on hemostasis, and may offer suitable hormonal contraception to women with a personal or family history of venous thromboembolic diseases. CONTRACEPTION 1998;57:385-392 (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.