[Prevalence of cholelithiasis in relation to use of hormonal contraceptives]

400 women in continuous care of a family planning clinic were examined for gallbladder stones by standard ultrasound technique. Gallstones (GS) are found infrequently in nulliparous women (3.1 percent). The prevalence of GS increases with number of births and with age: 11 percent of female under 25 years of age, who have ever born, have GS; women aged 45 years and older who have born two or more children have GS in 35 percent. Duration of use of HC increases with rising age and with number of births. There is no regular relationship between duration of use of HC or total dose respectively and prevalence of gallbladder stones.

Intake of HC has no or only a marginal influence on prevalence of gallbladder stones.