Oral contraceptives and vascular disease

This update on the cardiovascular risks of oral contraceptives unfortunately adds little to our original 1982 review for the following reasons: 1) There are many different formulations on the market, and they keep changing; 2) Women often use different formulations, stopping and starting as well as switching; 3) The statistical power of the studies often does not permit analyses by specific formulations; 4) The required information (brand name) is sometimes not collected or not collected reliably; 5) Apparently few case-control studies are being conducted to address these issues. Data that are available, interpreted cautiously, suggest either a continuance of the previously observed risk or a small to modest diminution with the use of the newer oral contraceptive formulations. The earlier advice to physicians still seems prudent and is briefly stated: 1) Try to avoid prescribing oral contraceptives for women over 35 years of age; 2) Women who smoke cigarettes should avoid using oral contraceptives, and users should not smoke; 3) Prescribe the formulation with the lowest dose and/or potency of estrogen that is effective and that does not cause unacceptable "breakthrough" bleeding; 4) Women with hypertension should be carefully monitored, and women who develop hypertension while on oral contraceptives should be switched to another form of contraception, if possible. Although oral contraceptives are the most effective form of contraception currently widely available, all risks of a contraceptive method must be compared with corresponding measures of effectiveness and with the risks of unwanted pregnancy. In particular, oral contraceptive users can reduce their risk of myocardial infarction by a reduction or elimination of cigarette smoking.