ORAL-CONTRACEPTIVE SIDE-EFFECTS - WHERES THE BEEF

The initial report is reviewed, as well as the results of subsequent i nvestigations, and the current status of the following side effects at tributed to the use of oral contraceptives: subjective symptoms such a s mood and libido changes, also headache; melanoma; gallbladder diseas e; liver tumors; sickle cell disease exacerbation; teratogenesis; ''po st-Pill'' amenorrhea; atherogenesis; and diminished carbohydrate toler ance. In many instances a cause-and-effect relationship appears to be incorrect or highly improbable. In other instances the side effects ar e clinically insignificant or so rare as to be of minimal importance. Yet they continue to be listed by various authorities as validated sid e effects or relative contraindications to oral contraceptive use. Thi s, in turn, limits the access of many women to a highly effective form of contraception. This re-examination of past history is intended to modernize our concepts of the safety of this modality.