[Reproductive mortality in Switzerland between 1952 and 1982]

Reproductive mortality includes mortality attributable to pregnancy and childbirth and its sequelae, termination of pregnancy and contraception. The latter is mainly due to an increase of cardiovascular diseases in oral contraceptive users. An estimate of reproductive mortality in Switzerland is based on available figures on cardiovascular mortality, smoking and use of oral contraceptives. The reproductive mortality has been steadily declining since 1952 in the age group of 15-34, a stagnation of this risk can be observed for women over 35 since 1962. Theoretically this stagnation might be due to the use of oral contraceptives and an increase in smoking.