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  • Title: Oral contraceptives have beneficial effects.
    Journal: PIACT Prod News; 1982 Aug; 4(2):1, 4. PubMed ID: 12311600.
    Abstract:
    Recent research has identified several noncontraceptive benefits of oral contraceptives (OCs). OC use reduces the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), when women have used OCs for more than 1 year. Different studies indicate that OC users have between 1/3 and 2/3 the risk of developing PID in comparison to noncontraceptors. On the basis of these results, it is estimated that between 2 and 3 million cases of PID have been averted each year in developing country family planning programs by OC use. In contrast IUD wearers are approximately 4 times as likely to develop PID as noncontraceptors. 1 of the consequences of PID is an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy against which OC use also provides protection. Because combined OCs inhibit ovulation, OC users are at a substantially lower risk of ectopic pregnancy when compared to both noncontraceptors and to users of other methods. Another benefit to OC users is the reduced risk of iron deficiency anemia. This benefit may be due to the addition of 7 ferrous fumarate tablets to the end of each 21 day cycle or to reduced menstrual blood loss. Another study showed that approximately 40% fewer cases of anemia were found among OC users than among nonusers. OC users have 1/2 the risk of developing endometrial or ovarian cancer, in comparison to women who have never used OCs. OC use is also associated with a reduction in benign breast disease of between 1/3 and 2/3 compared to nonusers. The risk of developing benign breast disease decreases as the length of OC use increases. OC use can be made safer by identifying those women who are at greatest risk of developing serious adverse effects, such as heart attack. These risks are increased among women over the age of 30 and are highest among those 45 years and older who are cigarette smokers. Cardiovascular related deaths among OC users in another study have also highlighted the group of women who are at the highest risk. Of 9 OC users who died of cardiovascular causes, 6 were past age 35 or were heavy smokers over age 30. If smokers over 35 and all women over 40 are excluded from OC use, the risk of heart attack to all OC users would be reduced by up to 75%.
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