Evaluation of body composition during low-dose estrogen oral contraceptives treatment.

To determine in a prospective study if the use of two low-dose estrogen oral contraceptives is associated with changes in weight or body composition.80 outpatients referring to the family planning service, aged 18-43 years were randomly assigned to a treatment with the EE/desogestrel or EE/gestodene association, 20 patients with IUD, aged 26-40 years, were selected as a control group. Anthropometric data and body composition were taken at enrollment and after 6 and 12 months.Anthropometric measurements included body mass index (BMI), body composition estimated by mean of Bioelectrical Impendance Analysis (BIA).In the three groups weight, BMI, and total body water (TBW), and body cellular mass (BCM) remained unchanged during the study period.The use of EE/desogestrel and EE/gestodene is not associated with significant variations of body weight and body composition during one year treatment.The effect of two low-dose oral contraceptives (OCs) on weight and body composition was evaluated in 80 family planning clinic outpatients 18-43 years of age. These women were randomly assigned to receive OCs containing either 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol and 150 mcg desogestrel or 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol and 75 mcg gestodene. 20 IUD users served as controls. Anthropometric measurements and body composition (estimated by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) were assessed at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of OC use. In all three groups, body weight, body mass index, total body water, and body cellular mass remained unchanged during the 12-month study period. These findings confirm that the new low-dose OCs have no significant effects on body weight or composition.