[Arterial complications of estrogen-progestogen contraception]

Large prospective British and American studies have shown a significant increase in the relative risk of systemic arterial complications in women taking oral contraceptives. The risk increases with age and the association of other principal risk factors including cigarette smoking; the duration of oral contraception does not seem to be closely related; the incidence does not seem to have decreased since the introduction of the minipill. The synthetic oestrogens are the main causative factor; however, the role of progesterone cannot be totally excluded. The pathogenesis of arterial thrombosis, especially in coronary and cerebral territories is discussed.