Combination oral contraceptives.

Although an individual assessment of the risks and benefits is always essential, combined, low-dose oral contraceptives (OCs) are an effective method of fertility control, even for women with chronic medical problems. In addition to contraception, therapeutic uses of combined OCs include acne, anovulatory uterine bleeding, control of bleeding with blood dyscrasias, dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, hirsutism, hypothalamic amenorrhea, ovarian hormone replacement, polycystic ovarian syndrome, premenstrual syndrome, and recurrent functional ovarian cysts. This article presents guidelines for clinicians on the selection of combined OC users, counseling, contraindications, and management of adverse effects. It further outlines general considerations for the prescription of combined OCs to women with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, migraine headaches, and epilepsy.