title: Risks and benefits of oral contraceptive pills.
abstract: In the more than 40 years since the combined oral contraceptive pill was first marketed, much information has been obtained as to its risks. Considerably less publicity has been given to the balancing benefits that have also emerged. There has been an increasing realization that the risks are focused in those women with recognised risk factors, meaning that the remainder can use the product with increasing reassurance. The doses of both hormones have also been lowered considerably since the early years. Thus, it can be a rational decision by a fully informed woman to use this form of contraception.
authors.affiliation: Community Gynaecology, Margaret Pyke Centre, 73 Charlotte Street, London, W1T 4PL, UK.
authors.forename: Rachel E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: D'Souza
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guillebaud
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000009:adverse effects; D015715:Corneal Edema / Q000139:chemically induced; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000139:chemically induced; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology; D007565:Jaundice / Q000139:chemically induced; D007989:Libido; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D015430:Weight Gain
chemical_list: D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined