Combined oral contraceptives: a comprehensive review

Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2007 Dec;50(4):868-77. doi: 10.1097/GRF.0b013e318159c06a.

Abstract

Millions of women use birth control pills for contraceptive and noncontraceptive reasons. Although there have been reports of rare adverse events, birth control pills do offer well-documented health benefits, including a decrease in the risk of ovarian and endometrial carcinoma. In addition, manufacturers continue to modify birth control pills to reduce side effects and medical risks.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / chemically induced
  • Breast Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular System / drug effects
  • Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / adverse effects*
  • Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / standards*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Estrogens / adverse effects
  • Estrogens / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Menstrual Cycle / drug effects*
  • Menstrual Cycle / physiology
  • Patient Compliance
  • Progestins / adverse effects
  • Progestins / pharmacology
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / chemically induced
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / epidemiology

Substances

  • Contraceptives, Oral, Combined
  • Estrogens
  • Progestins