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.