Oral Contraceptives and Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

WHEN oral contraceptives became generally available during the early 1960s, their use increased rapidly, initially in North America and then elsewhere. By 1965, approximately 15 per cent of all married women 15 to 44 years of age in the United States were taking oral contraceptives; by 1973, this figure had increased to 25 per cent, or about 6.6 million.¹ Use in the United States peaked during the mid-1970s but has continued to increase in many other countries.² Worldwide, it is estimated that about 54 million women were using oral contraceptives by 1977. ² Evidence suggesting that oral contraceptives might have effects . . .