Steroid contraceptives: neuro-psychiatric & electroencephalographic complications.

ABSTRACT

PIP The neuropsychiatric and electroencephalographic (EEG) complications of oral contraceptive (OC) use were investigated in 8 groups of 10 patients each. 61 of the women (76.2%) reported neuropsychiatric side effects, and changes in EEG were found in 48 patients. The reported symptoms were tension and anxiety states (45%), neurasthenic states (62.5%), and depressive states (52.5%). The administration of progesterone or estrogens alone increased the incidence of side effects. It is concluded that the ideal OC formulation provides a balance of both components in the lowest effective concentrations.^ieng