Oral contraceptives in current use appear to be safe and effective. Studies found that early contraceptive pills, which had a high estrogen content, were associated with a number of serious side effects and long-term sequelae. Studies of the newer low-dose preparations demonstrate a much lower incidence of adverse effects. The beneficial effects of oral contraceptives in disease prevention are now widely recognized. The diversity of available formulations allows the physician to tailor therapy to the individual patient, maintaining contraceptive efficacy while minimizing adverse effects and long-term risks.