The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition which comprises progestogens, preferably drospirenone, estrogens, preferably ethinylestradiol and 5-methyl-(6S)-tetrahydrofolate, can be employed as oral contraceptive and moreover prevents disorders caused by folate deficiency in the consumers, in particular cardiovascular disorders and, after conception of the embryo, congenital malformations caused by folate deficiency such as, for example, neural tube defects, ventricular valve defects, urogenital defects, and cleft lip, jaw and palate, without masking the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, and at the same time even in the case of homozygous or heterozygous polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase facilitates unimpaired utilizability of the folate component 5-methyl-(6S)-tetrahydrofolate by the body and thus its biological activity for preventing the abovementioned congenital malformations caused by folate deficiency. In addition, a prolonged protective effect is maintained after discontinuation of the contraceptive.