Conclusions: the relative safety of modern oral contraceptives

Published data on the relative safety of second and third generation oral c ontraceptives (OCs) is critically assessed, The original four studies publi shed in 1995/1936 and their conclusions are examined in detail, including c omments made by other investigators. Each study has advantages and flaws wh ich are balanced in detail. Newer studies are then examined in the same man ner. All recent papers indicate an equivalence of safety of second and thir d generation OCs, as the effects of various confounders and biases have bee n identified and analysed. We conclude that absolute risks are minor with b oth generations and that no reasons now exist to indicate any differences i n their overall safety. We analyse finally how the pill crisis arose, and m ake suggestions about future reporting on OC safety.