EVALUATING ORAL-CONTRACEPTIVE USE AT 6 AND 12 MONTHS

OBJECTIVE: To determine if oval contraceptive use necessitates more th an 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 pres sure noted at the 6-month visit when compared to the 12-month visit. L ikewise, there was no significant difference in the incidence of abnor mal findings on breast and pelvic examinations at the 6-month visit as compared to the 12-month visit. CONCLUSION: Annual evaluations for pa tients on low-dose oval contraceptives are adequate. The patients who attended this clinic were working-class, middle-aged women, and as suc h the data from this study may not be applicable to the population at large.