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 language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 825-834 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Best Practice and Research: Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology |
Volume | 28 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 2014 |
Keywords
- gynaecology
- hormonal contraception
- non-contraceptive benefits
- oral contraception
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Obstetrics and Gynecology