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Jin X, Perrella SL, Lai CT, Taylor NL, Geddes DT. Causes of Low Milk Supply: The Roles of Estrogens, Progesterone, and Related External Factors. Adv Nutr 2024; 15:100129. [PMID: 37832920 PMCID: PMC10831895 DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2023.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Low milk supply (LMS) poses a significant challenge to exclusive and continued breastfeeding, affecting ∼10% to 15% of mothers. Milk production is intricately regulated by both endocrine and autocrine control mechanisms, with estrogens and progesterone playing pivotal roles in this process. In addition to endogenously produced hormones, external substances capable of interfering with normal hormonal actions, including phytoestrogens, mycoestrogens, synthetic estrogens, and hormonal contraceptives, can influence milk production. The effects of these extrinsic hormones on milk production may vary based on maternal body mass index. This comprehensive review examines the multifaceted causes of LMS, focusing on the involvement of estrogens, progesterone, and related external factors in milk production. Furthermore, it investigates the interplay between hormonal factors and obesity, aiming to elucidate the endocrine mechanisms underlying obesity-associated LMS. Insights from this review provide valuable perspectives for developing interventions to improve milk production and address the challenges associated with LMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuehua Jin
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Sharon L Perrella
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ching Tat Lai
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Nicolas L Taylor
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia; ARC Training Centre in Biomedical Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Donna T Geddes
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia; ARC Training Centre in Biomedical Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia. donna@
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Wang S, Wang Y, Bai M, Peng Y, Zhou D, Lei P, Zhou B, Zhang P, Zhang Z. Causal inference of sex hormone-binding globulin on venous thromboembolism: evidence from Mendelian randomisation. Thromb J 2023; 21:109. [PMID: 37880771 PMCID: PMC10599068 DOI: 10.1186/s12959-023-00553-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous cohort studies have shown that exogenous sex hormone use, such as testosterone replacement therapy and oestrogen-containing contraceptives, can increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, the relationship between endogenous sex hormone levels and VTE remains unclear. The goal of the present study was to explore the causal roles of endogenous sex hormones, including hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), bioactive testosterone (BT), and total testosterone (TT), in VTE and its two subgroups, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS We used a genome-wide association study of sex hormones as exposure data and Finnish VTE data as the outcome. Inverse variance weighting, MR-Egger, and weighted median were used for two-sample Mendelian randomisation (MR). Sensitivity analyses included MR-Egger, MR-PRESSO, Cochrane Q test, MR Steiger, leave-one-out analysis, and funnel plot, combined with multivariate MR and replicated MR analyses using larger VTE data from the global biobank meta-analysis initiative. Linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) was used to determine genetic associations and estimate sample overlap. RESULTS Our findings genetically predicted that an increase in serum SHBG levels by one standard deviation (SD) caused 25% higher odds for VTE (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.01-1.55) and 58% higher odds for PE (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.20-2.08). LDSC supported the genetic correlation between these two traits and replicated analyses confirm SHBG's genetic effect on VTE in both sexes (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.20-1.78) and in females (OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.17-1.91). In addition, an increase in serum TT levels by one SD caused 32% higher odds for VTE (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.08-1.62) and 31% higher odds for DVT (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.01-1.69); however, LDSC and replicated analyses did not find a genetic correlation between TT and VTE or its subtypes. No significant correlation was observed between BT and all three outcome traits. CONCLUSION Our study provides evidence that elevated serum SHBG levels, as predicted by genetics, increase VTE risk. However, the causal effect of testosterone levels on VTE requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuping Wang
- The First Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Heart Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Gansu Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yongxiang Wang
- Heart Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Gansu Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Ming Bai
- The First Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Heart Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Gansu Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yu Peng
- Heart Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Gansu Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Dan Zhou
- The First Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Peng Lei
- The First Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Heart Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Gansu Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Binpeng Zhou
- Department of Emergency, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Piyi Zhang
- The First Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- The First Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
- Heart Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
- Gansu Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
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Abstract
Importance In the United States, 27% of reproductive-aged women are overweight, and 35% are obese. Until recently, contraceptive research excluded women greater than 130% of their ideal body weight. Gaps in data limit evidence-based decision making for effective contraceptive counseling and management in this rapidly growing population. Objectives The aims of this summary are to review the benefits, adverse effects, and risk factors associated with contraceptive methods in obese women, with special attention to effectiveness, and provide contraceptive management and counseling recommendations for best clinical practice. Evidence Acquisition We performed a thorough search of PubMed for current literature, including original research articles, review articles, and guidelines on contraceptive counseling and management in obese women in the United States. We reviewed the body of evidence with special attention to studies published since recent Cochrane and systematic reviews on this topic. Conclusions Contraceptive use is safer than pregnancy, especially for obese women who have increased pregnancy risks. Baseline health is compromised by obesity, but contraceptive risks remain low. Long-acting, reversible contraceptive methods offer superior effectiveness, minimal risk, and numerous noncontraceptive benefits across body mass index groups. No substantial evidence supports ineffectiveness of any method in obese women except oral emergency contraception and the patch. Pharmacokinetic changes of obesity associated with other oral methods do not seem to result in clinically significant declines in effectiveness. Future contraceptive efficacy studies should include obese women to better discuss their contraceptive needs. Relevance This review is beneficial for all providers caring for reproductive-aged women wanting to avoid unintended pregnancy.
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Simmons KB, Edelman AB. Hormonal contraception and obesity. Fertil Steril 2016; 106:1282-1288. [PMID: 27565257 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.07.1094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Revised: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The rising rate of overweight and obesity is a public health crisis in the United States and increasingly around the globe. Rates of contraceptive use are similar among women of all weights, but because contraceptive development studies historically excluded women over 130% of ideal body weight, patients and providers have a gap in understanding of contraceptive efficacy for obese and overweight women. Because of a range of drug metabolism alterations in obesity, there is biologic plausibility for changes in hormonal contraception effectiveness in obese women. However, these pharmacokinetic changes are not linearly related to body mass index or weight, and it is unknown what degree of obesity begins to affect pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamics processes. Overall, most studies of higher quality do not demonstrate a difference in oral contraceptive pill effectiveness in obese compared with non-obese women. However, data are scant for women in the highest categories of obesity, and differences by progestin type are incompletely understood. Effectiveness of most non-oral contraceptives does not seem to be compromised in obesity. Exceptions to this include the combined hormonal patch and oral levonorgestrel emergency contraception, which may have lower rates of effectiveness in obese women. The purpose of this review is to summarize evidence on contraceptive use in women with obesity, including differences in steroid hormone metabolism, contraceptive effectiveness, and safety, compared with women of normal weight or body mass index using the same methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine B Simmons
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Alison B Edelman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon.
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Hugon-Rodin J, Alhenc-Gelas M, Hemker HC, Brailly-Tabard S, Guiochon-Mantel A, Plu-Bureau G, Scarabin PY. Sex hormone-binding globulin and thrombin generation in women using hormonal contraception. Biomarkers 2016; 22:81-85. [DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2016.1204010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Westhoff CL, Eisenberger A, Tang R, Cremers S, Grossman LV, Pike MC. Clotting factor changes during the first cycle of oral contraceptive use. Contraception 2016; 93:70-6. [PMID: 26452328 PMCID: PMC5004596 DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2015.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is highest during the initial months of oral contraceptive (OC) use. We sought to evaluate the extent of hemostatic variable changes during the initial OC cycle and if such changes are related to systemic ethinyl estradiol (EE2) exposure. STUDY DESIGN Participants provided multiple blood samples during a 21-day OC cycle (30mcg EE2; 150mcg levonorgestrel) and after a single dose following a washout period. Analytes included D-dimer, factor VIII activity, protein C total antigen and the hepatic proteins corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) and sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). EE2 pharmacokinetic analyses related to the 24h after the first OC tablet (OC1) and at steady state (OC21). RESULTS Seventeen women completed the study. D-dimer more than doubled by OC6 (p=.013) and remained elevated at OC21 (p=.012). D-dimer levels within women varied widely from day to day. Factor VIII increased 27% by OC2 (p<.001) but declined to a 9% increase by OC21. Protein C increased only 6%. EE2 steady-state area-under-the-curve ranged from 488 to 1103pg∙h/mL; higher levels were not correlated with greater increases in clotting variables. CBG and SHBG increased significantly but were not significantly correlated with levels of EE2 or with the hemostatic variables. CONCLUSIONS D-dimer increases during the first OC cycle were at least as great as increases seen with longer OC use. These results provide support for the increased VTE risk during initial OC use. The extreme variability in D-dimer levels may be an important component of this risk. IMPLICATIONS This study showed that increases in D-dimer are clearly evident in the first cycle of OC use and may be larger than are seen after a longer duration of use and thus provide biological support for the increased VTE risk during initial OC use found in epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn L Westhoff
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Andrew Eisenberger
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Rosalind Tang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Serge Cremers
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Lisa V Grossman
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Malcolm C Pike
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
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Han L, Jensen JT. Does the Progestogen Used in Combined Hormonal Contraception Affect Venous Thrombosis Risk? Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am 2015; 42:683-98. [PMID: 26598309 DOI: 10.1016/j.ogc.2015.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) use a combination of estrogen and progestogen to provide contraception. The most important risk of using CHCs is venous thromboembolism (VTE). It is unclear whether the type of progestogen used in a method augments that risk. Although the evidence supporting an increase in thrombosis risk is not conclusive, neither is the evidence supporting the benefit of newer progestogens in terms of tolerability or continuation. The benefits of CHCs outweigh the risks and the absolute risk of VTE remains small. A balanced discussion of potential risks and benefits of particular CHC formulations is warranted during contraception counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leo Han
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
| | - Jeffrey T Jensen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA
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Chabbert-Buffet N, Gerris J, Jamin C, Lello S, Lete I, Lobo P, Nappi RE, Pintiaux A. Toward a new concept of "natural balance" in oral estroprogestin contraception. Gynecol Endocrinol 2013; 29:891-6. [PMID: 23931030 DOI: 10.3109/09513590.2013.824963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Pill has undergone many changes since its first appearance some 50 years ago. Key developments included the reduction of ethinylestradiol doses and the synthesis of new progestins in order to increase safety, compliance and efficiency. Low-dose combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are currently the preferred option for millions of women. Due to this widespread use, it has been argued that the safety of COCs should be even better, raising the threshold for excellence. Yet in spite of major improvements, there is still an associated risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The next step in COCs' evolution should take total estrogenicity and hepatic estro-androgenic balance into account. The focus on the estrogen component--which has not changed in 50 years--has yielded a new class of natural estrogen pills. Following the introduction of a first quadriphasic pill, a monophasic estradiol pill based on the concept of "natural balance" was subsequently made available. These recent achievements could represent a step forward in the evolution of COCs and pave the way for better safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Chabbert-Buffet
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, APHP Tenon Hospital, University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 06, Paris, France
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Raps M, Rosendaal F, Ballieux B, Rosing J, Thomassen S, Helmerhorst F, van Vliet H. Resistance to APC and SHBG levels during use of a four-phasic oral contraceptive containing dienogest and estradiol valerate: a randomized controlled trial. J Thromb Haemost 2013; 11:855-61. [PMID: 23410231 DOI: 10.1111/jth.12172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2012] [Accepted: 01/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of combined oral contraceptives is associated with a 3- to 6-fold increased risk of venous thrombosis. This increased risk depends on the estrogen dose as well as the progestogen type of combined oral contraceptives. Thrombin generation-based activated protein C resistance (APC resistance) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels predict the thrombotic risk of a combined hormonal contraceptive. Recently, a four-phasic oral contraceptive containing dienogest (DNG) and estradiol valerate (E2V) has been marketed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the thrombotic risk of the DNG/E2V oral contraceptive by comparing APC resistance by measuring normalized APC sensitivity ratios (nAPCsr) and SHBG levels in users of oral contraceptives containing dienogest and estradiol valerate (DNG/E2V) and oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol (LNG/EE). METHODS We conducted a single-center, randomized, open label, parallel-group study in 74 women using DNG/E2V or LNG/EE, and measured nAPCsr and SHBG levels in every phase of the regimen of DNG/E2V. RESULTS During the pill cycle SHBG levels did not differ between DNG/E2V users and LNG/EE users. nAPCsr levels were overall slightly lower in DNG/E2V users than in LNG/EE users, mean difference -0.44 (95% CI, -1.04 to 0.17) for day 2, -0.20 (95% CI, -0.76 to 0.37) for day 7, -0.27 (95% CI, -0.81 to 0.28) for day 24 and -0.34 (95% CI, -0.91 to 0.24) for day 26. CONCLUSION No statistical significant differences in nAPCsr and SHBG levels were found between users of the oral contraceptive containing DNG/E2V and LNG/EE, suggesting a comparable thrombotic risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Raps
- Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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10
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Raps M, Helmerhorst F, Fleischer K, Thomassen S, Rosendaal F, Rosing J, Ballieux B, VAN Vliet H. Sex hormone-binding globulin as a marker for the thrombotic risk of hormonal contraceptives. J Thromb Haemost 2012; 10:992-7. [PMID: 22469296 DOI: 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2012.04720.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It takes many years to obtain reliable values for the risk of venous thrombosis of hormonal contraceptive users from clinical data. Measurement of activated protein C (APC) resistance via thrombin generation is a validated test for determining the thrombogenicity of hormonal contraceptives. Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) might serve as a marker for the risk of venous thrombosis, and can be easily and rapidly measured in routine laboratories. OBJECTIVE To determine whether SHBG is a useful marker for the thrombotic risk of hormonal contraceptive users by comparing plasma SHBG levels with normalized APC sensitivity ratio (nAPCsr) values and thrombosis risks reported in the recent literature. METHODS We conducted an observational study in 262 users of different contraceptives, and measured nAPCsr and SHBG levels. RESULTS Users of contraceptives with a higher risk of causing venous thrombosis, i.e. combined hormonal contraceptives containing desogestrel, cyproterone acetate or drospirenone, and the transdermal patch, had higher SHBG levels than users of combined hormonal contraceptives containing levonorgestrel, which carry a lower thrombosis risk. Users of the patch had the highest SHBG levels, with a mean difference of 246 nmol L(-1) (95% confidence interval 179-349) from that in users of levonorgestrel-containing combined hormonal contraceptives. SHBG levels were positively associated with both the nAPCsr and the risks of venous thrombosis reported in the recent literature. CONCLUSION SHBG is a useful marker with which to estimate the thrombotic safety of a preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Raps
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Erkut B, Ates A, Arslan S. Intracardiac entrapped and pulmonary embolism developing during oral contraceptive therapy in a young woman. J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) 2010; 11:297-8. [DOI: 10.2459/jcm.0b013e328335cfc7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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12
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Response to Letter to the Editor. Contraception 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2008.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Sex hormone-binding globulin: an adequate surrogate marker for venous thromboembolism in women using new hormonal contraceptives. Contraception 2009; 79:328-9; author reply 329-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2008.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2008] [Accepted: 11/04/2008] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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