Context

Oral contraceptives (OCs) are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The association varies depending on whether the cardiovascular disease is arterial or venous and with varying progestogens and dosages of the oestrogen compound ethinyloestradiol. A recent Cochrane review concluded that OCs with the progestogens gestodene, desogestrel, cyproterone acetate or drospirenone are associated with 50–80% higher risk of venous thromboembolism compared to OCs with the progestogen compound levonorgestrel.1 Another study concluded that only OCs with ethinyloestradiol dosages of 50 µg or above are associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction and ischaemic stroke.2

This observational cohort study analysed the …