North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

What is a common reason some women experience edema while taking oral contraceptives?

1. Due to dehydration

2. Due to hormone imbalance

3. Because of the increased estrogen

4. Because of reduced salt intake

The correct answer is: Because of the increased estrogen

The presence of edema in women taking oral contraceptives is often attributed to increased levels of estrogen. Oral contraceptives typically contain synthetic forms of estrogen, which can lead to fluid retention in the body. Estrogen promotes the reabsorption of sodium in the kidneys, which in turn causes water retention, leading to swelling in various areas, particularly the lower extremities. In contrast to the other options, dehydration would typically lead to reduced fluid volume and not edema; hormone imbalance could imply various endocrine issues that are not directly related to the standardized doses of hormones in contraceptives; and reduced salt intake would generally decrease fluid retention rather than cause it. Therefore, the increase in estrogen associated with oral contraceptive use is a direct and well-documented cause of edema in some women.