Summary
In the plasma, cholesterol (C) and triglycerides, are carried in five lipoprotein fractions: chylomicrons, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), remnants, low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL). Only remnants and LDL are implicated in the development of atherosclerosis; HDL, particularly HDL2, are considered to be protective against atherosclerosis. Plasma VLDL and LDL are higher in the girls than in the boys. Women have less plasma total C and LDL-C and more plasma HDL-C than men. During the second part of the menstrual cycle, plasma levels of total C and LDLC tend to be lower than in the first phase of the cycle. During pregnancy, plasma lipoproteins are elevated mainly during the third part of the pregnancy. In the postmenopausal period, women have a plasma lipoprotein pattern similar to that of men.
Both synthetic and natural oestrogens induced an increase in plasma VLDL and HDL (HDL3) and a decrease in plasma LDL; these modifications could be considered as beneficial in terms of prevention of atherosclerosis. As far as the progestogens are concerned, the effects on plasma lipoproteins are opposed to those of oestrogens. The effects of the contraceptive pill on plasma lipoproteins will depend on the relative potency of its hormonal components, particularly of its progestogen component.
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Heller, F.R., Harvengt, C. (1984). Oestroprogestogens and serum lipoproteins. In: Harrison, R.F., Thompson, W., Bonnar, J. (eds) Trends in Oral Contraception. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-3600-8_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-3600-8_5
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