[The vascular risk of third generation contraceptive pills]

The new progestative molecules have allowed the reduction of the doses of steroids in estroprogestative pills. They have a reduced androgenic activity allowing the positive effects of ethinylestradiol on lipid metabolism with decreased myocardial infarct, ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. However it is necessary to consider the woman's entire risk factor profile when prescribing oral contraceptives. Unfortunately, combined estroprogestatives containing low-dose estrogen and the progestagens desogestrel or gestodene are associated with an increased risk for nonfatal venous thromboembolic disease. The occurrence of venous thromboembolic disease in a woman with oral contraceptive requires to search for a hereditary abnormality especially a resistance to the anticoagulant effect of activated protein C. Conversely it seems necessary to screen for the factor V Leiden mutation in women starting oral contraceptives who have a history of a familial venous thrombosis story.