Kangasniemi MH, Haverinen A, Luiro K, et al. - As combined oral contraceptives (COCs) alter inflammatory status and lipid metabolism, researchers sought to determine if COCs containing ethinyl estradiol (EE) or estradiol valerate (EV) and dienogest (DNG) differ from those containing DNG only concerning their effect on inflammation and lipid metabolism. They conducted a randomized, controlled, open-label clinical trial including 56 women completing the study (EV+DNG, n = 20; EE+DNG, n = 19; DNG only, n = 17). Outcomes revealed a neutral effect of EV+DNG and DNG only on inflammation and lipids, while both high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and pentraxin 3 levels, as well as triglycerides and HDL, increased in correlation to EE+DNG use. .