Effect of the ethinylestradiol/norelgestromin contraceptive patch on body composition. Results of bioelectrical impedance analysis in a population of Italian women
2008

Impact of Contraceptive Patch on Body Composition

Sample size: 182 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Antonio Piccoli, PierGiorgio Crosignani, Carmine Nappi, Salvatore Ronsini, Vincenzina Bruni, Silvia Marelli

Primary Institution: University of Padova, Italy

Hypothesis

Does the ethinylestradiol/norelgestromin contraceptive patch affect body composition in women?

Conclusion

The contraceptive patch led to a minimal increase in body weight and hydration, which is not clinically significant.

Supporting Evidence

  • Body weight increased by 0.64 kg after 6 months.
  • Total body water increased by 0.51 L after 6 months.
  • Changes in body composition were not significantly different among previous contraceptive methods.

Takeaway

Women using a contraceptive patch gained a tiny bit of weight, but it was just water and not a big deal.

Methodology

The study used bioelectrical impedance analysis to measure body composition changes over 6 months in women using the contraceptive patch.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the open-label design and lack of randomization.

Limitations

The study lacked a control group and was limited to a specific population of Italian women.

Participant Demographics

182 Italian women aged 18 to 45 with a BMI of 21.8 kg/m2.

Statistical Information

P-Value

<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1475-2891-7-21

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