Evaluating oral contraceptive use at 6 and 12 months.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if oral contraceptive use necessitates more than a yearly visit.

STUDY

DESIGN

Outpatient files of all patients in a gynecologic clinic were evaluated. Patients who were started on oral contraceptives were identified. The findings on their return visits at 6 months and 12 months were compared for any significant differences.

RESULTS

There was no increased incidence of elevation in blood pressure noted at the 6-month visit when compared to the 12-month visit. Likewise, there was no significant difference in the incidence of abnormal findings on breast and pelvic examinations at the 6-month visit as compared to the 12-month visit.

CONCLUSION

Annual evaluations for patients on low-dose oral contraceptives are adequate. The patients who attended this clinic were working-class, middle-aged women, and as such the data from this study may not be applicable to the population at large.