If you have a medical condition, taking medications that seem routine can be challenging. The decision to take Loestrin or a similar medication if you have high cholesterol, heart disease, certain cancers, if you smoke or are over age 35 should be done after a discussion with your physician. Loestrin and other oral contraceptives can increase the bad types of cholesterol. Women who took combination hormone therapy were found to have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease of 2.4 times by the Women's Health Initiative study. The study also fouind increased rates of breast cancer and blood clots. You should feel confident that the benefits outweigh the risks and you should discuss alternative treatments.
Loestrin
Loestrin is an oral contraceptive medication available by prescription for prevention of pregnancy. Oral contraceptives may also be used by your physician for regulation of menstrual cycles, and certain formulations can be used for acne and premenstrual emotional symptoms. Loestrin is in a class of oral contraceptives termed combination pills because it contains both estrogen and progesterone to produce the desired effects.
Your Lipid Profile
Cholesterol is made of several lipid components. Lipids are fat-like substances that make up cell membranes. The lipid profile should be performed after fasting for six to eight hours to provide the most accurate results. It is made up of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein or LDL, high density lipoprotein or HDL, and triglycerides. A total cholesterol level greater than 200 milligrams per deciliter is considered high. LDL and triglycerides are considered harmful to your health and levels above 139mg/dl and 150mg/dl, respectively, are deemed high levels. HDL cholesterol is thought of as the good component of the lipid profile because levels above 40mg/dl for men and 50mg/dl for women are desired.
Oral Contraceptives and Cholesterol
The hormones in oral contraceptives can impact the different components of a lipid profile. Estrogen helps to remove more of the LDL in your body and increases HDL cholesterol. Both of these are thought of as beneficial; however, estrogen will also increase triglycerides. The progesterone portion will have the opposite effect, causing a rise in LDL and a reduction in HDL and triglycerides.
High Cholesterol and Oral Contraceptives
According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, women with controlled levels of cholesterol may use oral contraceptives with levels of 35mcg of estrogen or less. Women whose cholesterol levels are not well controlled, with levels of LDL greater than 160mg/dl or triglyceride levels higher than 250mg/dl or who have other risk factors for heart disease such as diabetes should consider other alternatives.
References
- PubMed Health; Estrogen and Progestin; February 2011
- California Pacific Medical Center; Understanding Cholesterol; Fiona Dulbecco, M.D.
- American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Use of Hormonal Contraception in Women with Coexisting Medical Conditions; June 2006
- Women's Health Initiative
