Identifies a gene that breaks down the hormones used in birth control methods, making them less effective at preventing pregnancy
A woman’s genes may be the key to understanding how her body will metabolize hormonal birth control methods and why birth control failure occurs. A research study lead by Dr. Aaron Lazorwitz and co-authored by Drs. Stephanie Teal, Maryam Guaihi and Jeanelle Sheeder of CU OB-GYN & Family Planning, has identified a gene called CYP3A7*1C, which produces a protein called CYP3A7. This protein breaks down the hormones used in birth control rendering them less effective.
The gene is present in all developing fetuses and “turns off” in most infants. However, the study found that 1 in 4 grown women on birth control who still had the gene “turned on” did not have high enough levels of hormones in their system to prevent ovulation, increasing the chances of pregnancy.
The study used etonogestrel birth control implants a long-acting reversible contraceptive that boasts a less than 1 percent failure rate.
Dr. Lazorwitz believes that this study will drastically change our understanding of contraceptives, telling Reuters, “We need to believe the patient and to understand that there are other things outside of her control, like genetics, that could cause birth control to fail.”
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