Six-month carbohydrate metabolism studies in women using oral contraceptives containing gestodene and ethinyl estradiol.

Twenty-five women had their carbohydrate metabolism prospectively evaluated during the six months that they used a gestodene and ethinyl estradiol monophasic oral contraceptive. Serum glucose and insulin levels were measured during a 75-gram three-hour oral glucose tolerance test. At the six-month test, the three-hour glucose and the fasting and three-hour insulin values were significantly elevated. The literature on carbohydrate metabolism during gestodene oral contraceptive use is also reviewed.