The combined oral contraceptive pill- recent developments, risks and benefits

Monica V. Dragoman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Scopus citations

Abstract

The introduction of the birth control pill as an effective, coitally-independent method of contraception was a public health milestone of the last century. Over time, combined oral contraception (COC) formulations and pill-taking regimens have evolved with improved safety and tolerability while maintaining contraceptive efficacy. In addition to protection against pregnancy, use of combined oral contraception confers a number of significant non-contraceptive benefits to users. COC use is also associated with well-studied risks. Common side effects are generally self-limiting and improve with increasing duration of use while serious adverse events, including venous thromboembolism, are rare among healthy COC users. Contraceptive decision-making should include consideration of both the risks and benefits of a given method versus the real consequences of unintended pregnancy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)825-834
Number of pages10
JournalBest Practice and Research: Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Volume28
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2014

Keywords

  • gynaecology
  • hormonal contraception
  • non-contraceptive benefits
  • oral contraception

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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