The impact of estrogen dose when selecting an oral contraceptive

The impact of estrogen dose when selecting an oral contraceptive

P.D. Darney

Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, San Francisco General

Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, USA

Oral contraceptives are widely used and thoroughly studied. Forty years of

clinical experience and scientific inquiry have demonstrated that they are safe

and effective. During that time OCs have improved so that serious effects are

increasingly rare and bothersome ones are minimized. OC side effects are a

consequence of estrogen-progestin interactions and are dose-related.

Weight change related to fluid retention, headache, nausea, and effects on

skin and hair are more commonly estrogen-dose related. Reducing the estrogen

dose may reduce risk of serious and minor OC side effects.

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