title: Potential risks, benefits of progestins in birth control pills outlined.
abstract: Progestins in oral contraceptives (OCs) produce potential complications, as well as noncontraceptive benefits, according to Robert A. Hatcher, MD, MPH, professor of gynecology and obstetrics, Emory University Medical School.  Hatcher told CTU that lowering the progestin content in an OC may decrease complications, but could also decrease the benefits experienced by women.  "The extent to which that will happen remains to be seen," he said.  Hatcher cited the following potential complications of progestins in OC:  hypertension; decreased levels of high density lipoproteins; acne; oily skin; headaches between pill cycles; dilated leg veins; pelvic congestion syndrome; thrombosis of superficial leg veins; gallstones; Monilia vaginitis; cholestatic jaundice; and depression, fatigue, and decreased libido.  Progestins, according to Hatcher, also produce these noncontraceptive benefits:  protection against PID; decreased dysmenorrhea; decreased menstrual blood loss, decreased iron deficiency anemia; protection against endometrial cancer; protection against fibrocystic breast disease, and fibroadenomas of the breast; decreased bleeding from fibroids; decreased growth of fibroids.  When ovulation is suppressed, Hatcher emphasized, additional benefits that may occur include the following:  decreased risk of functional ovarian cysts; elimination of mittleschmerz pain; decreased rick of ovarian cancer; protection against endometriosis.
mesh_terms: D001519:Behavior; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D003267:Contraception; D003270:Contraceptive Agents; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003863:Depression; D004194:Disease; D004412:Dysmenorrhea; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005836:Genitalia, Female; D006261:Headache; D006470:Hemorrhage; D006973:Hypertension; D007565:Jaundice; D007989:Libido; D008055:Lipids; D001523:Mental Disorders; D008660:Metabolism; D009461:Neurologic Manifestations; D000292:Pelvic Inflammatory Disease; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012816:Signs and Symptoms; D013927:Thrombosis; D014566:Urogenital System; D014599:Uterus
chemical_list: D003270:Contraceptive Agents; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D008055:Lipids; D045167:Progesterone Congeners
keywords: Adnexitis; Behavior; Bleeding; Cerebrovascular Effects; Contraception; Contraceptive Agents, Female; Contraceptive Agents, Progestin--beneficial effects; Contraceptive Agents, Progestin--complications; Contraceptive Agents--beneficial effects; Contraceptive Agents--complications; Contraceptive Methods; Decreased Libido; Depression; Diseases; Dysmenorrhea; Family Planning; Genital Effects, Female; Headache; Hypertension; Jaundice; Lipid Metabolic Effects; Mental Disorders; Metabolic Effects; Neurologic Effects; Oral Contraceptives; Oral Contraceptives, Low-dose; Progestins, Low-dose--beneficial effects; Progestins, Low-dose--complications; Sex Behavior; Signs And Symptoms; Thrombosis; Urogenital Effects; Uterine Effects