The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 271 No 7257 p39
12 July 2003

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Stroke abstract (more)

Study dispels fears over contraceptive pill use and stroke

New research has found no evidence to support an association between low-dose oral contraceptive use and ischaemic stroke.

Researchers from the National Stroke Research Institute of Australia identified 234 women with ischaemic stroke and compared their use of the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) with 234 controls. Current users of OCP at doses of 50µg of oestrogen or less were not at increased risk of stroke (odds ratio 1.76, 95 per cent confidence interval, 0.86 to 3.61, P=0.124).

Factors associated with an increased risk were hypertension, transient ischaemic attacks, previous myocardial infarctions, diabetes, a family history of stroke and smoking more than 20 cigarettes a day.

The researchers say they decided to re-examine the link between OCP and stroke because of changes in the formulation of oral contraceptives and to guidelines on their use. They point out that these products contain lower doses of oestrogen and progestogen than previously and that current recommendations restrict their use to women with no other risk factors for cardiovascular disease (Stroke 2003;34:1575).