[Contraception in preclimacteric women with special regard to oral contraceptives (author's transl)].

During a period of 9 years 143 women at an age over 40 attended for the first time the I. University Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Vienna for receiving contraceptive treatment. 71 women (49.6%) received oral contraceptives wiD was inplanted because of either internal contraindications of oral contraceptives (mainly high risk for thrombosis) or negation by the patient. 16 patients were sterilised, mostly with the laparascope. The main side effects in the patients receiving oral contraceptives were nervosity, impairment of libido and complaints in the lower extremities. 60.5% of all women over the age of 40 using oral contraception didn't show any complaints. On the basis of the own results and the reports in literature the advantages and disadvantages of oral contraception in comparison with mechanical devices are discussed.