Microvascular endothelial function following cessation of long‐term oral contraceptive pill use: A case report

Figures

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  FIGURE 1. Endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation (i.e., plateau). (a) Responses at individual visits over the transition of fourth‐generation OCP cessation. (b) Mean values during OCP use and after cessation. Circles indicate assessments during months 133–144 of fourth‐generation OCP use (n = 3 experimental visits). Triangles indicate assessments during months 19–22 after cessation of OCP use (n = 3 experimental visits). Open symbols indicate visits during the placebo pill OCP phase or during the menstrual phase of the natural menstrual cycle. Filled symbols indicate visits during the active pill OCP phase or outside of the menstrual phase of the natural menstrual cycle. Abbreviations: %CVCmax, percentage of site‐specific maximal cutaneous vascular conductance; NC, naturally cycling; OCP, oral contraceptive pill

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  FIGURE 2. Nitric oxide‐dependent vasodilatation. (a) Responses at individual visits over the transition of fourth‐generation OCP cessation. (b) Mean values during OCP use and after cessation. Circles indicate assessments during months 133–144 of fourth‐generation OCP use (n = 3 experimental visits). Triangles indicate assessments during months 19–22 following cessation of OCP use (n = 3 experimental visits). Open symbols indicate visits during the placebo pill OCP phase or during the menstrual phase of the natural menstrual cycle. Filled symbols indicate visits during the active pill OCP phase or outside of the menstrual phase of the natural menstrual cycle. Abbreviations: %NO, percentage of endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation attributable to nitric oxide; NC, naturally cycling; OCP, oral contraceptive pill

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  FIGURE 3. Responses at individual visits for additional phases of the local heating response: (a) baseline; (b) post‐l‐NAME plateau; and (c) maximal vasodilatation. Circles indicate assessments during months 133–144 of fourth‐generation OCP use (n = 3 experimental visits). Triangles indicate assessments during months 19–22 after cessation of OCP use (n = 3 experimental visits). Open symbols indicate visits during the placebo pill OCP phase or during the menstrual phase of the natural menstrual cycle. Filled symbols indicate visits during the active pill OCP phase or outside of the menstrual phase of the natural menstrual cycle. Abbreviations: %CVCmax, percentage of site‐specific maximal cutaneous vascular conductance; l‐NAME, N ω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester; NC, naturally cycling; OCP, oral contraceptive pill; RBC, red blood cell