Absolute contraindications:
(1) cigarette smoking and >= 35 years of age
(2) pregnancy
(3) presence of active liver disease
(4) uncontrolled hypertension
(5) diabetes mellitus with vasculopathy
(6) prolonged immobilization of the lower extremity
(7) history of thromboembolic events or thrombophlebitis
(8) history of coronary artery disease
(9) history of stroke
(10) history of estrogen-dependent malignancy
(11) history of a liver adenoma
(12) history of cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy
Relative contraindications:
(1) heavy cigarette smoking and < 35 years of age
(2) amenorrhea of undiagnosed cause
(3) migraine headaches
(4) depression
where:
• Women who (1) smoke or (2) have cardiovascular risk factors and who use oral contraceptives with >= 50 µg estrogen have an increased risk of death from circulatory diseases including myocardial infarction and stroke.
