Oral contraceptives

Abstract
Practitioners are often asked, “Is the pill safe?” The answer for most patients is “Yes.” However, as discussed by Dr Connell, for certain women the use of oral contraceptives (OCs) poses a risk of cardiovascular disease that outweighs the benefit of fertility control as well as the ancillary health benefits. Physicians have an important role to play in educating patients about the safety of OCs and in properly screening and monitoring women who are OC users.