Oral contraceptives, anti-thrombin III and fibrinolytic activity in Africans.

A comparison of the effects of progestogen-only and combined progestogen-oestrogen types of oral contraceptives on anti-thrombin III activity and fibrinolysis in African subjects in South Africa is reported. The changes in anti-thrombin III activity are similar to those reported in other races, but the augmentation of fibrinolytic activity is more marked than has been reported elsewhere. The possible significance of these findings is discussed.