Diabetologists in Bangalore international airport estrogen-containing contraceptive pills The oestrogen in current oestrogen-containing contraceptive pills is ethinyl oestradiol, which has a thrombogenic effect. There is a negligible increased risk for most patients, but this is magnified by age and smoking. There is a significantly increased risk of myocardial infarction in women over 35 who smoke, and in those with known risk factors or those not monitored for hypertension. For women over 35 on the oestrogen pill, who smoke more than 10 cigarettes per day, the relative risk of infarction is 20, and for those with hypertension the relative risk of stroke is 10. Risk is not associated with duration of pill use, suggesting that the major factor is thrombogenesis.