Hormonal contraceptive use and Staphylococcus aureus nasal and throat carriage in a Norwegian youth population

Abstract

<i>Background</i>: Use of hormonal contraceptives has been associated with <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> nasal carriage in adult women. However, the role of hormonal contraceptives in S. aureus colonization among adolescents and associations with progestin only contraceptives are unknown.<p>

<p><i>Methods</i>: We obtained nasal and throat swab samples from 439 girls aged 17–21 years in the population-based Tromsø study Fit Futures, 2012–2013, Norway, with information on lifestyle, health and biomarkers. We used multivariable logistic regression to study the association between use of hormonal contraceptives and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> carriage while adjusting for potential confounding factors.<p>

<p><i>Results</i>: <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> nasal carriage prevalence were 34%, 42%, and 61% among progestin-only users, non-users, and progestin-estrogen combination contraceptive users, respectively (P<0.001). Use of combination contraceptives doubled the odds of nasal carriage (non-users reference; OR = 2.31, 95%CI = 1.43–3.74). The OR of nasal carriage was 0.29 among progestin-only users compared to combination contraceptives users (95% CI = 0.12–0.67).<p>

<p><i>Discussion</i>: In this study, use of combination hormonal contraceptives was associated with higher risk of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> nasal carriage in adolescent girls. Experimental design studies are needed to establish the role of exogenous sex steroids in <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> colonization in women.