The glucose tolerance of the normal woman is not disturbed by oral contraceptives, or only slightly so. In women with a hereditary diabetic taint or diabetic complications during pregnancy, however, the diabetogenic effect is intensified. Estrogens/gestagens (OE-P) are contraindicated in patients with latent diabetes because they may develop an irreversible manifest diabetes. OE-P may be given in manifest diabetes with careful supervision of the blood sugar, lipid levels and the vascular condition. The doses of insulin or oral antidiabetics must often be raised. If the diabetes is not adequately stabilized, the OE-P must be discontinued. Young diabetic women should have their children before the onset of vascular complications. If a diabetic has two living children, surgical sterilization must be given serious consideration.