Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Medical School, UW Health East Clinic, 5249 East Terrace Drive, Madison, WI 53718, USA. cseibert@facstaff.wisc.edu
This paper addresses the use of combined oral contraceptives in women older than 35 years of age, including the potential risks and benefits, pretreatment assessment, common side effects and their management, appropriate follow-up, and diagnosis of menopause. The case-based discussion also focuses on issues that pertain to women who smoke, have hypertension, or have dyslipidemia.