title: Oral contraception.
abstract: Oral contraception (OC) remains a popular noninvasive, readily reversible approach for pregnancy prevention and, largely off label, for control of acne, hirsutism, dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, menorrhagia, and other menstrual-related symptoms. Many OC formulations exist, with generics offering lower cost and comparable efficacy. Certain medical conditions, including hypertension, migraine, breast cancer, and risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), present contraindications. Blood pressure measurement is the only physical examination or testing needed before prescription. Although no OC is clearly superior to others, OCs containing the second-generation progestin levonorgestrel have been associated with lower VTE risk than those containing other progestins.
authors.affiliation: VA Puget Sound Health Care System, 1660 South Columbian Way, S-123-PCC, Seattle, WA 98108, USA. Electronic address: gingere@u.washington.edu.
authors.forename: Ginger
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: Women's Health Care Center, University of Washington, 4245 Roosevelt Way Northeast, Box 354765, Seattle, WA 98105, USA.
authors.forename: Eliza L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Sutton
mesh_terms: D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004608:Eligibility Determination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal
keywords: Ethinyl estradiol; Levonorgestrel; Medical eligibility criteria; Oral contraception; Venous thromboembolism