Metabolic and Weight Observations in Four Women Using Triphasic Norgestimate/Ethinylestradiol: A Six-month Descriptive Case Series.

BACKGROUND

Triphasic combined oral contraceptives (COCs) containing norgestimate and ethinylestradiol are established therapeutic options. Previous studies and reviews have described their metabolic profile, but contemporary routine-practice descriptions remain limited. This report was not designed to test efficacy or to generate population-level evidence.

OBJECTIVE

To describe short-term changes in selected metabolic and clinical parameters over six months in four women using a triphasic norgestimate/35 µg ethinylestradiol COC.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

This retrospective descriptive case series included four women of reproductive age, without known metabolic disorders, who initiated triphasic norgestimate/35 µg ethinylestradiol in routine clinical practice and had complete records at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Fasting glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL/HDL ratio, blood pressure, and body weight were extracted from clinical records. Results are summarized descriptively as medians with ranges and patient-level changes. No inferential analyses were planned or performed.

RESULTS

Fasting glycaemia remained within the physiological range in all four patients at each time point. Median triglycerides increased from 98 mg/dL at baseline to 123 mg/dL at 3 months and decreased to 88 mg/dL at 6 months; one patient had a value of 151 mg/dL at 3 months. Median total cholesterol increased from 173 mg/dL at baseline to 195.5 mg/dL at 6 months, with two patients above 200 mg/dL at 6 months. LDL/HDL ratios remained below 2 at 6 months, although individual changes were heterogeneous. Body weight showed small individual fluctuations from baseline to 6 months (-2 to +1 kg).

CONCLUSION

This four-patient retrospective case series provides descriptive short-term observations only. The findings should not be interpreted as evidence of metabolic efficacy, safety, or generalizability. They are hypothesis-generating and require evaluation in larger prospective studies with standardized follow-up and assessment of potential confounders.