Abstract
Given the valuable contraceptive and noncontraceptive benefits of combined hormonal contraception (estrogen plus progestin), oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) have been widely used by reproductive-aged women for decades. In 2002, OCPs were the leading contraceptive method in the USA among women under 35 years of age, with over 11.6 million women using them. OCPs have evolved since their first use in the early 1960s to improve safety patterns without affecting efficacy. Today, OCPs contain only a fraction of the estrogen doses seen with original formulations, dramatically reducing the cardiovascular risk initially associated with this form of contraception. In addition, women now have many additional options for combined hormonal contraception (CHC), including newer progestins, reduced estrogen doses and extended cycle lengths, and novel delivery systems such as the transdermal patch or intravaginal ring. These options may further affect traditional risk and benefit profiles for CHC use in these women. Therefore, accompanying the evolution of the OCP and other forms of CHC, there may be newer risks, side effects and noncontraceptive benefits associated with their use that providers must consider with their patients when prescribing CHCs. This article will provide a short summary on progestin-only oral contraceptives, but the primary aim of this article is to focus on the risks, side effects and health benefits associated with combined hormonal contraceptives, specifically with the OCP.
Financial & competing interests disclosure (not received)
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.