EFFECTS OF A NEW ORAL-CONTRACEPTIVE CONTAINING ARM ANTIMINERALOCORTICOID PROGESTOGEN, DROSPIRENONE, ON THE RENIN-ALDOSTERONE SYSTEM, BODY-WEIGHT, BLOOD-PRESSURE, GLUCOSE-TOLERANCE, AND LIPID-METABOLISM

Combined hormonal oral contraceptives (OCs) may lead to a mild rise in blood pressure and body weight. In rare instances, large increments in blood pressure are measured. We investigated the effect of a combination of ethinyl estradiol (EE) plus a progestogen with antimineralocorticoid, i.e. natriuretic, properties [Drospirenone (DRSP)] on body weight, blood pressure, the renin-aldosterone system, atrial natriuretic factor, plasma lipids, and glucose tolerance. It is anticipated that this will lead to the development of an OC that does not raise body weight or blood pressure. Four groups of 20 women each received 30 mu g EE plus 3 mg DRSP (group A), 20 mu g EE plus 3 mg DRSP (group B), 15 mu g EE plus 3 mg DRSP (group C), and, as a control OC, 30 mu g EE plus 150 mu g levonorgestrel (Microgynon, Schering; group D) for 6 months. During the OC-free control cycles before and after treatment and throughout treatment, the target parameteres were measured. Between the pretreatment cycly and the sixth tretment cycle, mean body weight fell by 0.8 to 1.7 kg in groups A, B, and C (P < 0.05 us. D), whereas it rose by 0.7 kg in group D. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures fell by 1-4 mm Hg in groups A, B, and C (significant for A and C vs. D) and increased by 1-2 mm Hg in group D. Renin substrate rose equally in all groups (P < 0.05), whereas PRA and plasma aldosterone rose significantly only in the DRSP groups, presumably due to sodium loss. In the DRSP groups, high density lipoprotein cholesterol rose (P < 0.05), in contrast to group D. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol fell slightly (P > 0.05), whereas triglyceride levels showed a stronger increase in the DRSP groups (P < 0.05) than in group D. All groups attained good cycle control; group A had the best. Side-effects were minimal. To our knowledge, this is the first report on a combined OC that leads to a small decrease in body weight and blood pressure. It may be especially beneficial for women susceptible for a gain in weight and a rise in blood pressure.