A prospective controlled study investigated the effects of oral contraceptives on blood pressure in 485 women who were between 17 and 46 years of age and had blood pressures of < 140/90 mmHg at entry. The women were divided into seven groups depending on the chosen method of contraception: intrauterine device o r barrier method (control group): ethinyl oestradiol 3 0 p g plus levonorgestrel 150 p g (Microgynon-30 or Ovranette); norethisterone 350 p g (Micronor): norgestrel 75 pg (Neogest): norethisterone oenanthate 200 mg intramuscularly every 2 months for the first 6 months, then every 3 months thereafter; ethinyl oestradiol 30 pg plus ethynodiol diacetate 2 mg (Conova-30); and ethynodiol diacetate 500 p g (Femulen). Blood pressures were measured every 3 months by the family planning clinic nurse under standardized conditions using an Elag-Koln automatic sphygmomanometer. After one year, blood pressure had risen significantly (P(0.05) in the 137 women taking ethinyl oestradiol plus levonorgestrel (mean systolic and diastolic rises 6 . 4 and 2 . 7 m m H g respectively) and in the 91 women taking ethinyl oestradiol plus ethynodiol diacetate (mean systolic and diastolic rises 6 . 2 and 3 .O m m H g respectively). The 9 4 women taking the progestogen-only preparations and the 143 women in the control group showed n o increases in blood pressure. These d a t a were confirmed after 2 years of follow-up.
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