Oral contraceptive use and saliva diurnal pattern of metabolic steroid hormones in young healthy women

Contraception. 2015 Mar;91(3):245-7. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2014.11.010. Epub 2014 Nov 25.

Abstract

Background: The impact of oral contraceptives (OCs) on the saliva diurnal pattern of metabolic steroid hormones remained unknown.

Study design: Saliva samples were taken from young healthy women (11 OC users, 10 non-OC users) to analyze cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and testosterone 4 times (days 1, 8, 15 and 22) over one menstrual cycle.

Results: OC use decreased saliva testosterone concentrations (p<.01) under all conditions of day and time, but not saliva cortisol. OC also decreased saliva DHEA concentrations during the first part of the day (p<.05), with a dampened amplitude in its diurnal pattern.

Conclusion: The clinical relevance requires further study.

Keywords: Circadian rhythm; Contraception; Cortisol; DHEA; Testosterone.

MeSH terms

  • Circadian Rhythm
  • Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / metabolism*
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone / analysis*
  • Drug Combinations
  • Ethinyl Estradiol / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / analysis*
  • Levonorgestrel / metabolism*
  • Menstrual Cycle / metabolism
  • Saliva / chemistry*
  • Testosterone / analysis*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Contraceptives, Oral, Combined
  • Drug Combinations
  • ethinyl estradiol, levonorgestrel drug combination
  • Testosterone
  • Ethinyl Estradiol
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone
  • Levonorgestrel
  • Hydrocortisone