<Brief Communication> THE EFFECT OF CONTRACEPTIVES ON VITAMIN C METABOLISM: SPECIAL REFERENCE ON 19 -NORTESTERONE GROUP (COMBINED ESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE TABLETS) ON ASCORBATE METABOLISM

Abstract

Millions of women throughout the world take oral contraceptives as a convenient method for extending intra-conceptual period, preventing unwanted pregnancies or delaying the starting of family. These contraceptive tablets, if taken regularly, offer nearly 100% protection against pregnancies and hence substantially contribute to the health and social well-being of the individual. Reports has shown that there is an interaction between the steroidal contraceptives and vitamins and thus an increased demand for healthy vitamin metabolism (1,2,2,4). It is also believed that oral contraceptives act by interfering with the normal menstrual cycle, hence normal menstrual cycles are reviewed with particular reference to ascorbate metabolism. Morese, since the ascorbate nutriture of Nigerian adults has been shown to be poor