[Oral contraceptives and hypertension]
- PMID: 4325189
[Oral contraceptives and hypertension]
Abstract
PIP: A short review of the literature shows hypertension as one of the many possible side effects of oral contraceptives. The hypertension apparently develops as a result of stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Studies have demonstrated this action to be attributable to the estrogen component, since progesterone has not shown any laterations of plasma renin levels. The stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system during the luteal phase of menstruation is due to the natriuretic aldosterone-antagonistic effect of progesterone. Various experiments with rats have confirmed these effects. Since almost all women have shown a stimulation of this system after taking ovulation inhibitors, the question is why they all do not develop hypertension. There are some experimental data for the hypothesis that only those women will become hypertensive whose renin secretion due to the effects of raised angiotensin and aldosterone activity has not been damped. From the findings it is clear that a patient on oral contraceptives must have her blood pressure regularly controlled, particularly in cases of preexisting hypertension or familial hypertension. Should high blood pressure or hypertension occur, the drugs must be stopped even if the estrogen-induced hypertension is reversible after cessation of the medication.
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