Evaluating oral contraceptive use at 6 and 12 months.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if oral contraceptive use necessitates more than a yearly visit.


METHODS
Outpatient files of all patients in a gynecologic clinic were evaluated. Patients who were started on oral contraceptives were identified. The findings on their return visits at 6 months and 12 months were compared for any significant differences.


RESULTS
There was no increased incidence of elevation in blood pressure noted at the 6-month visit when compared to the 12-month visit. Likewise, there was no significant difference in the incidence of abnormal findings on breast and pelvic examinations at the 6-month visit as compared to the 12-month visit.


CONCLUSIONS
Annual evaluations for patients on low-dose oral contraceptives are adequate. The patients who attended this clinic were working-class, middle-aged women, and as such the data from this study may not be applicable to the population at large.
Adesanya
O O
OO
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C., USA.
Colie
C F
CF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004219:District of Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D004341:Drug Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005348:Fibrocystic Breast Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015994:Incidence; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral