These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Oral contraceptives and the risk of cardiovascular disease.
    Journal: Med Lett Drugs Ther; 1983 Jul 22; 25(640):69-70. PubMed ID: 6865850.
    Abstract:
    Recent epidemiological evidence suggests that the risk of serious cardiovascular complications from oral contraceptives (OCs) may be related not only to the amount of estrogen in each product but also to the potency of the progestin. Combination OCs with 30-35 mcg of estrogen have the same potency as those with 50 mcg with less risk of cardiovascular side effects, especially in women over age 35 who are smokers. More potent progestins have been associated with higher plasma concentration of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and lower concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol; high LDL and low HDL cholesterol levels have been associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. 1 large survey of OC use in the UK found an association between progestin dose and the incidence of death due to stroke and ischemic heart disease. Many of these findings used progestin doses higher than those found in contraceptive tablets currently available in the US. Some disadvantages of low dose OCs are higher rates of spotting, breakthrough bleeding, and amenorrhea. OCs containing over 20 and less than 50 mcg of estrogen with a low potency progestin offer the best combination of effectiveness and safety from combinations.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]