Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Prescribing Oral Contraceptives

  • Practical Therapeutics
  • Published:
Drugs Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The combined oral contraceptive pill is the most popular method of contraception worldwide, with modern low-dose formulations significantly improving tolerability. Breakthrough bleeding is the most significant adverse event associated with the low-dose combined oral contraceptives. Monophasic, biphasic, triphasic and progestogen-only preparations are available, and the choice of formulation should be tailored to best suit the patient. Any areas of uncertainty or concern that the patient has should be addressed, and the patient should be clearly informed of how to use the oral contraceptive effectively, the likely initial adverse effects and what to do if a pill is missed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Klitsch M. The new pills: waiting the next generation of oral contraceptives. Fam Plann Perspect 1992; 24 (5): 227–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Clinical and Scientific Advisory Committee Interim Guidelines for doctors following the pill scare. Br J Fam Plann 1984; 9: 120–2.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Rosenberg MJ, Long SC. Oral contraceptives and cycle control: the critical review of the literature. Adv Contracept 1992; 8 Suppl. 1: 35–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Jones ES, Forrest JD. Contraceptive failure in the United States: revised estimates from the 1982 National Survey of Family Growth. Fam Plann Perspect 1989; 21: 103–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. The International Working Group on enhancing patient compliance and contraceptive efficacy. A consensus statement enhancing patient compliance and oral contraceptive efficiency. Br J Fam Plann 1983; 18: 126–9.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Belsey EM, Machin D, D’arcangues C. The analysis of vaginal bleeding patterns incidence by fertility regulating methods. Contraception 1986; 34: 253–60.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Shenfield GM. Oral contraceptives: are drug interactions of clinical significance? Drug Saf 1993; 9 (1): 21–37.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Adams Hillard PJ. Oral contraception non-compliance: the extent of the problem. Adv Contracept 1992; Suppl. 1: 13–20.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Davis AJ. The role of hormonal contraception in adolescents. Am J Obs Gynecol 1994; 170: 1581–4.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Perucca E, Hedges A, Makki KA, et al. A comparative study of the enzyme inducing properties of anti convulsant drugs in epileptic patients. Brit J Clin Pharmacol 1984; 18: 401–10.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Orm ML’E, Back DJ. Interactions between oral contraceptive steroids and broad spectrum antibiotics. Clin Exp Dermatol 1986; 11: 327–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Croft P, Hannaford PC. Risk factors for acute myocardial infarction in women: evidence from the Royal College of General Practitioners’ oral contraceptive study. BMJ 1989; 298: 165–68.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Gazpart UJ. CLinical relevance of plasma lipid changes during use of new low dose oral contraceptives. Adv Contracept 1991;Suppl. 3: 180–94.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Larsson G, Milson I, Linsted T, et al. The einfluence of a low dose combined oral contraceptive on menstrual blood loss and iron status. Contraception 1992; 46: 327–34.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Fotherby K. The progestogen only contraceptive pill. Br J Fam Plann 1982; 8 (7): 10.

    Google Scholar 

  16. WHO Technical Report Series. Oral contraception and neoplasia. Report of a WHO scientific committee. Geneva: WHO, 1992: 16–21.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Harlap S. Oral contraceptives, breast cancer and age. Adv Contracept 1991; 7 (Suppl. 1): 15–24.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Romieu I, Berlin JA, Coldix G. Oral contraceptive and breast cancer. Cancer 1990; 66: 2253.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. The WHO Collaborative Study of Neoplasia and Steroid Contraceptives. Endometrial cancer and combined oral contraceptives. Int J Epidemiol 1988; 17: 263–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. The WHO Collaborative Study of Neoplasia and Steroid Contraceptives. Epithelial ovarian cancer and combined oral contraceptives. Int J Epidemiol 1989; 18: 538–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Thomas DB. Oral contraceptives and cancer risk: comparing results from developing and developed countries. Outlook 1989; December: 2–6.

  22. Guillebaud J. Oral contraception, the combined oral contraceptive. In: Contraception, your questions answered. London: Pitman Publishing Limited, 1985: 128.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Yuzpe AA, Lancee WJ. Ethinyl oestradiol and dl-norgestrel as a postcoital contraceptive. Fertil Steril 1977; 28 (9): 532.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Roland S, Guillebaud J, Bounds W, et al. Side effects of danazol compared with an ethinyl oestradiol/norgestrel combination when used for post coital contraception. Contraception 1983; 27: 29–39.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Rolands S, Kubba AA, Guillebaud J, et al. A possible mechanism of action of danazol and ethinyl oestradiol/norgestrel combination used as post coital contraception, contraceptive agents. Contraception 1986; 33: 539–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Family Planning NSW Ltd, 328-336 Liverpool Road, Ashfield, Sydney, New South Wales, NSW 2131, Australia

    Edith Weisberg (Medical Director)

Authors
  1. Edith Weisberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Weisberg, E. Prescribing Oral Contraceptives. Drugs 49, 224–231 (1995). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-199549020-00007

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-199549020-00007

Keywords

Search

Navigation