Contraception for the woman aged 35 yr and over.
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Oral contraceptive (OC) use is a risk for thrombogenic events. This paper reviews effects of OC on oxidative status, coagulation, and platelet activity. Complicating effects of cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, hyperpidemia, and hypertension, are discussed. From these data we conclude that: 1. OC use modifies slightly but significantly the oxidative status in women and in animals by decreasing in plasma and blood cells the antioxidant defenses (vitamins and enzymes). 2. The changes in the oxidative status are related to an increase in plasma lipid peroxides apparently responsible for the hyperaggregability and possibly the imbalance in clotting factors associated with the OC-induced prethrombotic state. 3. These effects of OC appear to be increased by a high intake of polyunsaturated fat and counteracted by supplements of vitamin E. 4. The risk factors acting synergistically with OC, have all been shown to increase platelet reactivity. In addition, smoking, diabetes, and, to some extent, dyslipidemia are associated with an increased level of lipid peroxides and concomitant changes in the antioxidant defenses that can be additive to those induced by OC. Thus, free radicals and lipid peroxidation could be the underlying mechanism in the predisposition to thrombosis induced by most risk factors in OC users. 5. Results of epidemiologic and experimental studies in this field will be concordant only when diet and natural antioxidants will be systematically taken into consideration.
The risks of oral contraceptives are very small, and they cluster in a subset of users, although warning signs of cardiovascular complications must be heeded. The best choice of an oral contraceptive is one with an estrogen content of 30 to 35 micrograms. A greater (50 micrograms) content may be necessary if breakthrough bleeding or amenorrhea persists beyond a few treatment cycles. The starting date for the pill can be up to the sixth day of the cycle. Noncontraceptive benefits of the pill may include a protective effect against endometrial and ovarian malignancy, benign breast disease, and infection of the upper genital tract. Both the contraceptive and noncontraceptive benefits of low-dose combination oral contraceptives are desirable. They far outweigh the risks in women who require a high-efficacy, reversible contraceptive and who have no significant contraindication to use of the pill.
As a general rule, the lowest-dose oral contraceptive should be prescribed that minimizes side effects while maintaining contraceptive protection. A woman who experiences mild side effects should be encouraged to tolerate symptoms for three menstrual cycles before a decision is made to change the prescription. Compliance may also be improved by informing women of the noncontraceptive health benefits of oral contraceptives: less menstrual blood loss and a lower incidence of menorrhagia, irregular bleeding, benign breast disease, endometrial cancer, dysmenorrhea, ovarian cysts or tumors, and salpingitis. Adequate patient education and supportive counseling are key factors in patient satisfaction and hence compliance.
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Hereditary angioedema is a rare disorder which is associated with an inherited deficiency of the inhibitor of the activated first component of complement. Genetic transmission occurs in an autosomal dominant manner. Affected patients are heterozygotes, and their deficiency is incomplete, many of them having up to 20% of the normal amount of the inhibitor. We describe two cases of C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency occurring in a mother and daughter in whom the symptoms appeared to be related to the menstrual cycle or the taking of the oral contraceptive pill. Although both features have been mentioned in the literature, to the best of our knowledge premenstrual exacerbations have not been documented previously. We examined the likely basis of hormonally exacerbated hereditary angioedema.
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In 1990 conflicting views are still being held concerning oral contraception and risks associated with pregnancy in women with systemic lupus erythematosus. As regards oral contraceptives, all authors agree that oestrogen-progestin combination pills are harmful, but the best alternative hormonal contraception remains to be determined. Protein-based "micropills" seem to be harmless; cyproterone acetate appears to be without side-effects, and its usefulness in preventing recurrences is being evaluated. As regards pregnancy, it would be wise not to contemplate having a child until 6 months have elapsed since the onset of remission. Blood pressure, platelet count and serum creatinine and uric acid levels must be closely monitored. Two types of antibodies may be present in the mother and are known to be responsible for foetal complications. These are antibodies to phospholipids (antiprothrombinase, anticardiolipin, antibodies responsible for dissociated treponema serology), which expose to spontaneous abortion or intrauterine death, and the antibody to SS-A (or anti-Ro), which exposes to foetal cardiomyopathy and congenital atrioventricular block.
Prescribing the combined oral contraceptive pill is a rewarding combination of hands-on clinical medicine, logical therapeutics, prevention, and patient education. Lowest dose with the least side-effects is the overriding principle of prescribing. It is important to spend time teaching patients and partners how to manage their pill-taking and to be responsible for their medication and prevention follow up.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.