Left ventricular size and function in women receiving oral contraceptives.

Using 2 groups of female participants aged 18-35 and in good health 15 women who had not received oral contraceptives or estrogens in 6 months and 15 women who had taken oral contraceptive for 3 consecutive months were studied to determine any differences in left ventricular size or function. Studies including systolic time-interval measurements echocardiography electrocardiogram carotid pulse tracing and phonocardiogram were done between the 10th and 20th day of the menstrual cycle. The results showed no significant difference in heart rate blood pressure left ventricular ejection time/preejection period or left ventricular internal dimension in diastole or systole. Although the conclusions are based on healthy women they are the most prevalent oral contraceptive users.