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  • Title: Side effects of oral contraceptives.
    Author: Dawson K.
    Journal: Nurse Pract; 1979; 4(6):53-5, 59. PubMed ID: 503375.
    Abstract:
    It is estimated that 10-15 million women use oral contraceptives in the U.S. The 2 types of pills available are combination products containing both an estrogen and progestin, and single entity products with only progestin. Although more side effects are associated with estrogen, combination pills are the preferred prescription. Most often side effects are mild and disappear after continued use or switching to another type of pill. Some of the side effects are nausea; weight gain; chloasma; cervical extrophia and leukorrhea; hypermenorrhea; spotting and breakthrough bleeding; galactorrhea and pituitary tumors; choreiform movement disorder; endometrial cancer; and, hepatic effects. Fetal exposure to exogenous estrogens and progestins has been reported to result in increased risk for the heart and neural tube defects. Teratogenic effects subsequent to discontinuation of OCs does not appear to be a risk. The beneficial side effects of oral contraceptives are that the incidence of menorrhagia, benign breast neoplasm, dysmenorrhea, iron-deficiency anemia, premenstrual tension, acne, and ovarian cysts are lower in OC users. Thryoid diseases may be reduced by OCs.
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