Third generation oral contraceptives and risk of myocardial infarction: an international case-control study

Abstract

Key messages Key messagesCompared with the results of British studies published in the 1970s, the risk of myocardial infarction among current users v non-users of second generation oral contraceptives was lowThe risk of myocardial infarction was appreciably lower among women using third generation products, the risk being comparable to that among women who did not use oral contraception and two to three times lower than that among women using second generation productsThe results suggest that about 12 fewer deaths from myocardial infarction in England and Wales and 46 fewer in Germany would occur each year if all those taking second generation oral contraceptives started taking third generation productsBoth the risks and the benefits of oral contraceptives need to be considered in a balanced way so that doctors can give judicious advice and women have informed choice Key messages Key messagesCompared with the results of British studies published in the 1970s, the risk of myocardial infarction among current users v non-users of second generation oral contraceptives was lowThe risk of myocardial infarction was appreciably lower among women using third generation products, the risk being comparable to that among women who did not use oral contraception and two to three times lower than that among women using second generation productsThe results suggest that about 12 fewer deaths from myocardial infarction in England and Wales and 46 fewer in Germany would occur each year if all those taking second generation oral contraceptives started taking third generation productsBoth the risks and the benefits of oral contraceptives need to be considered in a balanced way so that doctors can give judicious advice and women have informed choice