Post-meal blood sugar control in women using birth-control pills or a hormonal IUD
Official title: Exploring the Effect of Hormonal Contraceptives on Postprandial Glucose Handling in Young Healthy Females
Run by McMaster University · NCT07169591 · Data updated 2026-11-12
We will test whether blood sugar control after a standard glucose drink differs in healthy women aged 18-45 who are naturally cycling, taking specific combined birth-control pills, or using a levonorgestrel IUD.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 54 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | McMaster University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hamilton, Ontario) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | July 2027 |
| Study ends | October 2027 |
| Registry record updated | October 26, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07169591 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are otherwise healthy females aged 18–45 with BMI 18.5–30 who are either regularly cycling, have used specified monophasic levonorgestrel combined OCPs for >3 months, or have had a levonorgestrel IUD in place for ≥3 months.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, active smoking, pregnancy or breastfeeding, BMI outside 18.5–30, or using contraceptives other than the specified formulations are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study compares postprandial glucose and insulin responses in three groups of young, healthy females: naturally cycling (NAT), users of specified combined oral contraceptives (OCP), and users of levonorgestrel-releasing IUDs (IUD). Participants complete a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test with blood samples taken every 15–30 minutes over two hours to measure glucose, insulin, and related metabolic markers. The study also measures circulating estrogen and progesterone (and synthetic analogs) to explore links between sex-hormone levels and glucose handling. Enrollment is restricted to females 18–45 with BMI 18.5–30 and excludes people with diabetes, PCOS, smoking, pregnancy, or other major medical conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help women and clinicians choose contraceptive methods with lower long-term risks to blood-sugar regulation and future metabolic disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research provides mixed evidence that hormonal contraception can alter glucose tolerance, and direct comparisons using these specific monophasic levonorgestrel pills and levonorgestrel IUDs are limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Within 18-45 years * BMI between 18.5 and 30.0 kg/m2 * Weight stable for the past 6 months (± 2kg) * VO2peak values within a below average to above average rangea * Fasting blood glucose \<6.0 mMb * Resting blood pressure \<140/90 mmHg NAT females: • Regular menstrual cycle for \> 6 months (defined as a cycle length of 21-35 days) OCP users: * Use of combined OCPs as prescribed for \> 3 months * Second generation levonorgestrel drugs only * Monophasic formulations only (Alesse, Alysena, Audrina, Aviane, Min-Ovral, Ovima, or Portia) IUD users: * Insertion of IUD no fewer than 3 months prior to beginning of study * Hormonal, levonorgestrel-releasing IUD (Kyleena or Mirena) Exclusion Criteria: * Smoking * Diabetes, cancer, or other metabolic disorders * Cardiac or gastrointestinal problems * Infectious disease * Barium swallow or nuclear medicine scan in the previous 3 weeks * Pregnant or breastfeeding * Diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome * Endometriosis * Use of emergency contraception (e.g., Plan B) within the previous 3 months NAT females: • Use of any type of hormonal contraceptive in the previous 3 months OCP users: * Not using OCP as prescribed (e.g. missing doses or taking drug inconsistently) * Use of OCP for longer than 3 years. IUD users: * Insertion of Kyleena IUD longer than 2 years. * Insertion of Mirena IUD longer than 4 years.
Where it's running
-
McMaster University, Ivor Wynne Centre
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Kirsten E Bell, Ph.D.
- Email: bellke3@mcmaster.ca
- Phone: 905-525-9140
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.