ABSTRACT
The possible hypertensive effect of oral contraceptives is a controversial issue. We studied 371 women, admitted to the family planning program of a atate funded outpatient clinic, that were followed during 12 months. These women were divided in 4 groups. Group 1 was constituted by 98 women that used intrauterine devices. Group 2 by 98 women taking 30 µg of estrogen and 300 µg of progestogen. Group 3 by 83 women taking 35 µg of estrogen and 500 µg of progestogen and Group 4 by 92 puerperal women taking 30 µg of levonorgestrel, that after six month started to use an intrauterine device (n=35) or the contraceptives of group 2 (n=38) or group 3 (n=19). Age, initial blood pressure and weight were similar in the 4 groups. There was no significant change in blood pressure after 6 or 12 centrations up to 35 µg and progestogen concentrations between 300 and 500 µg do not induced changes in blood pressure