The Effects of Different Forms of Contraceptives on the Coagulation Profile

Background: The association between combined oral contraceptive pills and increased risk of venous thromboembolism has been extensively researched but little has been reported on its effects on all haematological parameters and coagulation factors. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different forms of oral contraceptives on the coagulation profile of female subjects in Enugu metropolis. This case-control study was conducted among women attending the Family planning unit of University of Nigera Teaching Hospital, Ituku Ozalla, Enugu State. Methods: The subjects were 36 women undergoing oral contraceptive medication and the control were 36 healthy women not taking this medication. ABO blood grouping and Full blood count (FBC) were carried out while prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of test subjects were determined using test kits from Technoclone Austria. Most of the test subjects were found to be of the O + blood group. The haematological profile of test subjects showed a statistically significant increase in Red blood cell (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), neutrophil, eosinophil, mean platelet volume (MPV) and plateletcrit while showing statisticallysignificant reductions in mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), lymphocyte, basophil, platelet volume distribution width (PDW) and red cell distribution widths in comparison to the control group. There was a significant decrease in the PT of test subjects (16.06±1.35 secs) in comparison to the control group (19.63±1.28 secs) while the slight increase in their APTT values was not significant. Conclusion: Thrombotic markers such as increased Red cell markers; RBC, haematocrit and platelet indices; MPV, PCT were increased along with decreased PT levels and prolonged APTT values though not significant can link oral contraceptives medication use to a hypercoagulable state in subjects thereby increasing their risk to venous thromboembolism.