Prospective evaluation of the effect of stopping estrogen-containing contraceptives on serum corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) and cortisol levels
Authors' conclusion
CBG and total cortisol concentrations decreased over time following discontinuation of COC. Concentrations of both CBG and total cortisol had normalized by four weeks after discontinuation. Accordingly, the minimum period for discontinuation of COC prior to evaluating HPA-axis measurements may be reduced from six weeks to four weeks.
Study context
- Population
- Healthy adult women discontinuing combined oral contraceptives (COC)
- Participants
- 24 women
- Exposure
- CBG and total cortisol before vs after stopping COC
- Outcome
- Duration for CBG and total cortisol levels to normalize after stopping COC
- Follow-up
- One week before to six weeks after cessation
Methodological detailseight weekly fasting morning blood samples, CBG and total cortisol measured by immunoassays
- Eight weekly fasting morning blood samples
- CBG and total cortisol measured by immunoassays
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- CBG at baseline, mean (SD)
- 133 ± 20 mg/L
- CBG 6 weeks after stopping COC, mean (SD)
- 59 ± 10 mg/L
- Total cortisol at baseline, mean (SD)
- 855 ± 138 nmol/L
- Total cortisol 6 weeks after stopping COC, mean (SD)
- 370 ± 130 nmol/L
- CBG, % of baseline after 4 weeks, mean (SD)
- 49 ± 12%
- Total cortisol, % of baseline after 4 weeks, mean (SD)
- 46 ± 11%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Prospective evaluation of the effect of stopping estrogen-containing contraceptives on serum CBG and cortisol levels. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Published 24 June 2026. doi:10.
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