Serum ALT and AST Among Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill Users Women in Rajshahi City

Background: Among all birth control methods, combined hormonal contraceptives are the most widely used. Previous studies have suggested that early oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) could be harmful to the liver. There was no research on how the more recent OCPs affected liver function, even though earlier OCPs had their dosage and content changed to reduce negative effects. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was carried out on 184 healthy women aged 20-45 years. Among them 92 women were OCP users and 92 women were OCP non-users. BMI matched non-OCP users’ women were recruited in the study for comparison of ALT and AST. Systematic sampling technique was applied to select each respondent. Having obtained ethical clearance from the Ethical Committee and informed consent from the respondents, data collection was commenced. Results: The results showed that the mean ALT level was higher in OCP users women (52.65±16.96 U/L) compared to non OCP users (36.17±20.26 U/L) and it was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The mean AST level was also higher in OCP users women (48.15±12.94 U/L) compared to non OCP users (37.14±15.42 U/L) and it was also statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions: So, regular monitoring of liver function test should be done among OCP users women and adaptation of other suitable birth spacing method is necessary among them.