[Status of oral contraceptives as a risk factor in cerebrovascular diseases]

A critical review of the relevant literature revealed that the incidence of subarachnoid haemorrhage is increased in women taking oral contraceptives and the mortality rate is higher. The data concerning correlation between the use of oral contraceptives and other cerebrovascular disorders are less conclusive. Taking oral contraceptives seems to result in a higher risk of stroke, but there is no definite correlation to the incidence of strokes with a fatal outcome. However, in the case of the coexistence of more than one risk factor, including cigarette smoking, the risk of cerebrovascular disease is considerably increased for women using oral contraceptives. Age also seems to be a significant factor. Women older than 44 should avoid oral contraceptives in general; women between 35 and 44 should use oral contraceptives only if additional risk factors are absent, i.e. if they are non-smokers. Indeed, in the presence of this or other risk factors younger women should also avoid taking oral contraceptives.