Oral Contraceptives

Prevention of pregnancy

Treatment of the following:

• Dysmenorrhea

• Menorrhagia/iron-deficiency anemia

• Acne

• Endometriosis

• Functional ovarian cyst

• Hyperandrogenism and/or polycystic ovarian disease

• Premenstrual syndrome and/or premenstrual dysphoric disorder

• Perimenopausal vasomotor symptoms

• Mittelschmerz

Hypercoagulability; increased risk of venous and arterial thrombosis when given without concomitant aspirin, especially in women with blood type A+.

Thromboembolic events; increased relative risk of 2.7 (without aspirin).

Hyperkalemia (drospirenone and/or ethinyl estradiol).

Treatment failure and/or pregnancy. “Typical user” failure rates reported as high as 9%. Preop beta-HCG assay may be indicated in sexually active pts.