Studies of carbohydrate metabolism were conducted before and after 18 months of daily use of a 0.075-mg norgestrel preparation by 50 "normal" women. Each study involved a 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test. There was a significant increase in the weights of the women over the time of study. In addition, all of the plasma insulin values and all of the blood glucose values were significantly elevated at the 18-month test. All of the control glucose tolerance tests were normal initially, but eight (16%) of the glucose curves were abnormal at the 18-month test. These data suggest a systemic metabolic effect of norgestrel which may play a role in accelerating atherogenesis.
PIP: Blood glucose and plasma insulin levels of 50 volunteers were examined during an oral glucose tolerance test performed before and after 18 months of daily use of Norgestrel (0.075 mg). The women were at least 8 weeks' postpartum or had not been using other steroid contraceptives for at least 3 months. Each woman underwent a control test and a treatment test. Mean age was 21 years + or - 0.7 SEM; mean parity was 1.8 + or - 0.2 SEM. Mean control weight was 138.6 lbs + or - 3.8. After 18 months of drug usage, mean weight was 146.5 lbs + or - 4.7, representing a significant weight gain (t=3.4626; p 0.01) during the 18-month period. All of the plasma insulin and blood glucose values were significantly increased at the 18-month test. All of the control glucose tolerance tests were normal initially, but 8 (16%) of the glucose curves were abnormal at the 18-month test. Norgestrel may have a systemic metabolic effect which may contribute to atherogenesis.