Hypertension in young females receiving anovulatory steroids.

4 cases of hypertension in women taking oral contraceptives are presented: 1) a 26 year old with blood pressure 170 over 110 and episodes of numbness and paresthesiae 2) a 30 year old woman with headaches occasional ankle swelling and hypertension 3) a 40 year old with fatigue aching in the legs and blood pressure of 160 over 150 and 4) a 21 year old with severe headaches and hypertension. This hypertension detected by recording blood pressure before medication and a few months after seems to occur in a few susceptible individuals and may not be detected in large group surveys. Rapid resolution of blood pressure after medication is withdrawn suggests a cause-and-effect relationship particularly when it can be demonstrated to reoccur upon reinstitution of therapy. Along with estrogens metabolic effedt of producing salt and water retention perhaps the renin-angio-tensin-aldosterone system is involved. Physicians should recognize these possible complications when they prescribe these medications.