Evaluation of existing techniques Is ‘the pill’ safe enough to continue using?

1976 ◽  
Vol 195 (1118) ◽  
pp. 69-80 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Contraceptive ◽  
Birth Control ◽  
Oral Contraceptives ◽  
Prospective Studies ◽  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Social Benefits ◽  
Intrauterine Devices ◽  
Oral Contraceptive Use ◽  
Using Data

The hazards and benefits of oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices and the diaphragm are summarized. Comparisons are then made between these three methods of birth control, using data collected in two large British prospective studies. It is concluded that the medical and social benefits that many women obtain with oral contraceptive use outweigh the hazards, and that ‘the pill’ can continue to be used.

scholarly journals The risk of breast, cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancer in oral contraceptive users

2010 ◽  
Vol 63 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 657-661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milena Veljkovic ◽  
Slavimir Veljkovic
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Oral Contraceptive ◽  
Oral Contraceptives ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Oral Contraceptive Use ◽  
Increased Risk

Introduction. Oral contraceptives, mainly combined monophasic pills, are widely used by young women who expect their physicians to prescribe them safe drugs which will not harm their health and which will simplify their life. Numerous epidemiologic studies have been performed to determine the relation between oral contraceptive use and the development of neoplasms. Breast cancer. An increased incidence of breast cancer has occurred simultaneously with the growing use of oral contraceptives. The possibility of a link between the oral contraceptive use and breast cancer has led to intensive research, but studies have provided inconsistent results causing confusion among clinicians. It was noticed that the risk of breast cancer was slightly elevated in current and recent young oral contraceptives users. That finding could be influenced by a detection bias or could be due to the biologic effect of the pills. The absolute number of additional breast cancer cases will be very small because of low baseline incidence of the disease in young women. Oral contraceptives probably promote growth of the already existing cancer, they are probably promoters not initiators of breast cancer. The available data do not provide a conclusive answer that is need. Cervical cancer. Numerous factors may influence the development of cervical cancer. The evidence suggests that current and recent oral contraceptive users have an increased risk of cervical cancer which decline after discontinuation of the application of medication. Oral contraceptives might increase the biological vulnerability of the cervix. Cervical cancer develops slowly over a long time period and can be effectively prevented by periodic cervical screening. Fortunately, oral contraceptives do not mask abnormal cervical citology. Conclusions regarding invasive cervical cancer and oral contraceptive use are not definitive but if there is any increased risk, it is low. Endometrial cancer. In oral contraceptive users the endometrium is almost under the influence of progestin component which suppresses endometrial mitotic activity and its proliferation. Most epidemiologic studies show that oral contraceptives reduce the risk of endometrial cancer and that this protective effect exists many years after the discontinuation of medication. Ovarian cancer. It has been long known that the oral contraceptive use causes protective an ovulation and reduces the risk of ovarian cancer. This powerful reduction is the best demonstrated major benefit of oral contraception. This protection is especially observed in nulliparous and seems to persist for many years after the discontinuation of medication.

The use of oral contraceptives in women over age 35 years

1995 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-120
Author(s):  
Robert F Casper ◽  
Selim Senoz ◽  
Avraham Ben-Chetrit
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Oral Contraceptive ◽  
Oral Contraceptives ◽  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Older Woman ◽  
Oral Contraceptive Use ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
Europe Today ◽  
The Impact

Oral contraceptives remain the most widely used form of contraception in North America and Europe today. In spite of the concerns of many women relating to the potential risks of these preparations, recent data have demonstrated that currently available oral contraceptives are safe, with no increased risk of cardiovascular disease or cancer in nonsmoking women. The present review will focus on the impact of oral contraceptive use in the older woman, including a discussion of the noncontraceptive health benefits of oral contraceptives.

Associations of oral contraceptive use and dietary restraint with bone speed of sound and bone turnover in university-aged women

2008 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 696-705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gioia Di Giovanni ◽  
Brian D. Roy ◽  
Kimberley L. Gammage ◽  
Diane Mack ◽  
Panagiota Klentrou
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Oral Contraceptive ◽  
Bone Turnover ◽  
Oral Contraceptives ◽  
Type I Collagen ◽  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Dietary Restraint ◽  
Type I ◽  
Oral Contraceptive Use ◽  
Bone Speed Of Sound

The associations of oral contraceptive use and cognitive dietary restraint with bone speed of sound (SOS) and bone turnover were investigated in 100 Canadian university-aged women (18–25 years old). Dietary restraint was assessed using the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) and daily calcium intake (Ca++) was assessed by the rapid assessment method. Quantitative ultrasound was used to measure SOS at the tibia and radius. Bone formation was estimated from plasma osteocalcin (OC), 25-OH vitamin D, and serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP). Bone resorption was determined from serum cross-linked N-teleopeptide of type I collagen (NTx) and plasma C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTx). Weekly physical activity energy expenditure (WAeq) was assessed using a standardized questionnaire, and height, body mass, relative body fat (%BF), and chest, waist, and hip circumferences were also measured. Participants were divided into low and moderate to high dietary restrainers (LDRs and MDRs, respectively). These groups were further sub-divided into users and non-users of oral contraceptives. All groups had similar age at menarche, body composition, WAeq, and equally low levels of Ca++and vitamin D. Within the non-users of oral contraceptives, MDR exhibited a lower tibial SOS (p ≤ 0.024) and OC (p ≤ 0.009) than LDR. Moreover, amongst the LDR, the oral contraceptive users had a lower tibial SOS (p ≤ 0.015) and BAP (p ≤ 0.002) than non-users. These results show that bone SOS and bone turnover were influenced by oral contraceptives and cognitive dietary restraint among this population of young women independent of body composition and physical activity.

Does the Use of Oral Contraception Depress DZ Twinning Rates?

1987 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 409-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Campbell ◽  
B. Thompson ◽  
C. Pritchard ◽  
M. Samphier
Keyword(s):  
Oral Contraceptive ◽  
Oral Contraceptives ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Oral Contraception ◽  
Secular Trends ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Oral Contraceptive Use

AbstractData based on total births from a geographically defined population with zygosity determined from blood samples and placentation and with data on the use of oral contraceptives routinely collected in early pregnancy showed no association between oral contraceptive use prior to pregnancy in either MZ or DZ twinning. Three mutually exclusive control groups of singletons were used to take account of age, parity and secular trends.

scholarly journals Development of a Novel Immunoassay for the Assessment of Plasma Gas6 Concentrations and Their Variation with Hormonal Status

2007 ◽  
Vol 53 (10) ◽  
pp. 1808-1813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvain Clauser ◽  
Séverine Peyrard ◽  
Pascale Gaussem ◽  
Malvina Crespin ◽  
Joseph Emmerich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Contraceptive ◽  
Oral Contraceptives ◽  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Hormonal Status ◽  
Elisa Assay ◽  
Menstrual Cycles ◽  
Oral Contraceptive Use ◽  
Development And Validation ◽  
Time Point

Abstract Background: Gas6 is a vitamin K–dependent antiapoptotic protein that has been implicated in cardiovascular pathophysiology. We report the development and validation of an ELISA for Gas6, and the variation of plasma Gas6 with hormonal status in a study designed to evaluate the effect of oral contraception on plasma markers. Methods: After validation of the main stages of the ELISA assay, we measured plasma Gas6 concentrations in 94 male and 88 female healthy volunteers ages 18 to 38 years. Forty-five of the women then received an oral contraceptive, which contained ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel, for 3 months before a new measurement was performed at the same time point in their menstrual cycles. Results: Interassay imprecision was 5.8%–11.8%, and the detection limit was 5.9 μg/L. Mean Gas6 plasma concentrations were significantly lower in men (52.0 μg/L) than in women not receiving oral contraceptives (63.8 μg/L, P <0.001). In the women who received oral contraceptives, Gas6 concentrations decreased after 3 months of therapy from 63.6 μg/L to 51.9 μg/L (P <0.001). Conclusions: We have developed a simple and reproducible ELISA assay for measuring plasma Gas6 concentrations, which vary with sex and are decreased by oral contraceptive use. These results suggest regulation of plasma Gas6 concentrations by sex hormones. Future clinical studies may require participants to be stratified by sex.

Effect of Oestrogen Dose on Whole Blood Platelet Activation in Women Taking New Low Dose Oral Contraceptives

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (06) ◽  
pp. 926-930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy A Norris ◽  
John Bonnar
Keyword(s):  
Arachidonic Acid ◽  
Oral Contraceptive ◽  
Platelet Activation ◽  
Oral Contraceptives ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Blood Platelet ◽  
Individual Treatment ◽  
Oral Contraceptive Use ◽  
Induced Aggregation

SummaryOral contraceptive use is known to cause changes in the haemostatic system. These changes are thought to be related to oestrogen dose and to provide a possible link between the increased risk of thromboembolic disease known to occur in women taking oestrogen containing oral contraceptives. This study measured whole blood platelet activation, serially, in women taking oral contraceptives containing 20 μg and 30 μg ethinyloestradiol combined with desogestrel. Increased levels of ADP and arachidonic acid induced aggregation were observed in women taking the 30 μg ethinyloestradiol combination. Platelet release of β-thromboglobulin (βTG) was also significantly increased. Increased collagen induced aggregation was observed but this failed to reach statistical significance for the individual treatment groups. In women taking the 20 μg ethinyloestradiol combination, a significant increase was only observed when platelets were stimulated with arachidonic acid. Platelet factor 4 (PF4) levels were unchanged in both groups. Significantly higher levels of βTG were observed in women taking the 30 μg ethinyloestradiol combination compared with women taking the 20 μg ethinyloestradiol combination. These results show that oral contraceptive use is associated with platelet activation. Women taking the 20 μg ethinyloestradiol combination show less changes in platelet activation than women taking the 30 μg ethinyloestradiol combination. This lower dose pill may therefore be particularly suitable for high risk women wishing to use oral contraception.

Oral Contraceptive Use does not Negatively Affect Body Composition and Strength Adaptations in Trained Women

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (13) ◽  
pp. 842-849
Author(s):  
Ramón Romance ◽  
Salvador Vargas ◽  
Sergio Espinar ◽  
Jorge L. Petro ◽  
Diego A. Bonilla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Oral Contraceptive ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Oral Contraceptives ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Bench Press ◽  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Fat Free Mass ◽  
Resistance Training Program ◽  
Oral Contraceptive Use

AbstractThe purpose was to analyze the influence of oral contraceptive use on body composition and strength levels in trained women. Twenty-three resistance-trained women participated in this study (age=27.4±3.4 years; fat mass=28.0±5.0%; BMI=22.9±2.7 kg∙m-2). Subjects performed an 8-week non-linear resistance-training program. Participants were assigned to either a group that consumed oral contraceptives (n=12, OC) or to a group that did not consume (n=11, NOC). Changes in body composition were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Strength performance was assessed via the one maximum repetition (1RM) test in the squat and bench press, and muscular power was evaluated using the countermovement jump (CMJ) test. Fat free mass increased significantly in OC but no changes were seen in NOC. There were no changes in fat mass for either OC or NOC. Significant changes were found in bench press 1RM for both OC and NOC; similarly, increases in squat 1RM were reported in OC and NOC. Alternatively, no significant changes were found in CMJ in both OC and NOC. No significant between-group differences were detected in any of the studied variables. The use of oral contraceptives during resistance training did not negatively affect body composition or strength levels in trained women.

Oral Contraception and Serious Psychiatric Illness: Absence of an Association

1985 ◽  
Vol 146 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. P. Vessey ◽  
K. McPherson ◽  
M. Lawless ◽  
D. Yeates
Keyword(s):  
Oral Contraceptive ◽  
Oral Contraceptives ◽  
Psychiatric Illness ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Attempted Suicide ◽  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Intrauterine Device ◽  
Oral Contraceptive Use ◽  
Contraceptive Study

SummaryThe incidence of serious psychiatric illness, as measured by first referral to hospital for specialist advice and treatment, has been investigated among 16,746 women taking part in the Oxford Family Planning Association contraceptive study. Of these women, 9,504 were recruited while using oral contraceptives, 4,144 while using a diaphragm and 3,098 while using an intrauterine device.The results are reassuring with respect to oral contraceptive use. First referral rates per 1000 woman-years of observation in the oral contraceptive, diaphragm, and intrauterine device entry groups were 3.0, 2.6, and 2.8 respectively for non-psychotic psychiatric disorders and 0.46, 0.43, and 0.53 respectively for psychotic disorders.Attempted suicide occurred only 40% as often amongst diaphragm users as amongst users of oral contraceptives or intrauterine devices; this finding presumably reflects the characteristics of women who choose the diaphragm as their birth control method.

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