OCPs and Lipid/Gall bladder disease

[Mike59]

Hi all,

Just a gyne physiology question I was hoping y'all could answer for me:

- Why is gall bladder disease a contraindication to birth control pills? Also, why is hyperlipidemia a concern?

Thanks a ton!

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[IdiotBoxen]

OCP's increase the concentration of cholesterol in the bile, which makes it more likely that stones will form.

There is a concern that OCP's could cause cardiovascular problems in women with moderate to severe hyperlipidaemia.

Also, remember that Ethinyl Estradiol *IS* affected by enterohepatic circulation!

A few links to studies if you're interested:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7351873&dopt=Abstract (about billary cholesterol secretion)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...ve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15236189 (gallstones and the relationship with 17b-oestradiol)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1244533&dopt=Abstract (effects of OCP's on the gallbladder in healthy women)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...ve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15695949 (study about the effects on cholesterol (HDL/LDL/etc... by low dose OCP)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...ve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11257243 (piece of enterhepatic circulation)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...ve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11139541 (be careful when using charcoal in women on OCP's)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=2256523 (another piece on enterohepatic circulation)

Hope this helps