Abstract

Hormonal contraceptives (HCs) are synthetic biochemical compounds that enable sexual activity without the risk of pregnancy. Despite their widespread use, concerns have been raised about the potential adverse effects of hormonal contraceptives (HCs) on women’s health with scarce reports especially of their effects on hematological profiles, inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers. This study was designed to investigate the effects of HCs on hematological indices, biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in women.  A total of 50 women from 3 health centers in Akure (Nigeria) were recruited for this study, with 25 women serving as control and 25 women on HCs (case). Blood samples were collected and analyzed using analytical kits. The results from this study indicate that women on HCs had a significant (p < 0.001) increase in white blood cell count, granulocytes and a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the platelet large cell ratio. A significant increase (p<0.001) in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF -α) (p<0.01) was also observed when compared to the control group. These findings suggest that HCs may alter hematological indices and induce oxidative stress and inflammation, which can impact negatively on women’s health. It is recommended that healthcare providers undertake appropriate client profiling before initiating any contraceptive choice to prevent pathological conditions, especially for those who may have pre-existing conditions and risk factors, they are however advised to opt for non-hormonal contraceptives. There is a need for further research into the potential adverse effects of HCs and the necessity for proper screening before HC administration.