Contraceptive Implants Considered Safe

In 2002, the New Zealand Ministry of Health advised women using cyproterone-containing oral contraceptives to consult their health practitioners due to a study indicating an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The study, published in the Lancet, found that these contraceptives were associated with a 4-fold increase in VTE risk compared to contraceptives containing levonorgestrel. Following 18 reports of VTE, including 15 cases of pulmonary embolism, associated with cyproterone-containing contraceptives, the Ministry issued prescribing advice to limit their use to conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, hirsutism, androgenic alopecia, or severe acne. No fatalities were reported.