2023-04-27 15:01:43
Computer models by Philippine researchers show that the amount of the hormone estrogen in hormonal contraception can be reduced by up to 95 percent without losing effectiveness. This could greatly reduce the negative side effects experienced by some users.
Researchers from the University of the Philippines Diliman, among others, have determined in a study with computer models that the amount of hormones in hormonal contraceptives can be reduced considerably without losing the contraceptive effect. This is possible by administering estrogen only at one point during the menstrual cycle, in combination with a low and varying dose of the hormone progesterone.
For contraception with only the hormone estrogen, a possible reduction in the dose of 92 percent applies, for contraception with only progesterone one of 43 percent. In contraception with both estrogen and progesterone, which is common, the decrease is even greater: 95 percent for estrogen and 74 percent for progesterone. The researchers published their results PLOS Computational Biology.
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Optimal dosage of hormones
This decrease in hormones does not just come out of the blue. The researchers determined that it is possible to administer estrogen at only one point during the 28-day cycle, on the twelfth day, in combination with a low and varying dose of progesterone. This while the most common hormonal contraceptives, such as the contraceptive pill and the hormonal IUD, continuously release the same amount of hormones. By applying this optimal dosing strategy, it is therefore possible to significantly reduce the amount of hormones that users consume.
They found this by using mathematical models to accurately map the menstrual cycle for the first time. In this model, they used data on the hormone levels of 23 women between the ages of 20 and 34 with a normal cycle of 28 days. They then applied mathematical formulas to this that could determine the exact lowest dose of hormones that could still prevent ovulation. Preventing ovulation is the reason for many contraceptives that users are virtually infertile. The model also enabled them to determine the optimal timing for administering hormones.
Fewer side effects
Some users of hormonal contraceptives experience adverse side effects. This varies from mood swings to physical complaints such as headaches, nausea and, in extreme cases, thrombosis.
An important advantage of reducing the dose of hormones in contraceptives is that these side effects will decrease, says endocrinological gynecology doctor Monique Brood-van Zantenconnected to the Amsterdam UMC and the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital.
According to Brood-van Zanten, this is therefore an important study and a good first step. But because the results are now only based on models, follow-up studies will have to show whether such a large decrease in hormones in contraception is really realistic. ‘The most important thing, of course, is that the contraceptives remain reliable.’
For example, the researchers used the model purely to look at the minimum amount of hormones at which ovulation still fails to occur. ‘But it could just be that in practice this amount of hormones causes the user to suffer from bleeding every day,’ says Brood-van Zanten.
In addition, the researchers used data from women with 28-day menstrual cycles, but not everyone has such a cycle. There are other factors that are not included in the models. ‘That is why the next step is to use clinical studies with menstruating people to determine whether what they have theoretically devised actually works in practice,’ says Brood-van Zanten.
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