Oral contraceptives and women's health in Japan.
Japan approved the use of low-dose oral contraceptives (OCs) in June 1999, after more than 35 years of debate. The debate leaves a legacy of misinformation about and various sources of resistance to OCs. Benefits are expected to include greater control for women over their fertility and a reduction in the high rates of unplanned pregnancies and abortions. Successful implementation of the new policy will require a new emphasis on women's health, including the provision of accurate information about OCs and their associated adverse effects, a women-centered approach to gynecological practice, and the promotion of condoms as protection from sexually transmitted diseases, rather than as contraception alone.
Goto
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Yamagata University School of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Yamagata City, Japan. agotoh@med.id.yamagata-u.ac.jp
Reich
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MR
Aitken
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I
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects; D017277:Drug Approval; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012306:Risk; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral