title: The efficacy of non-contraceptive uses for hormonal contraceptives.
abstract: In addition to providing safe and effective contraception, both the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) and selected long-acting progestogen-only contraceptives have significant health benefits. The COCP may reduce menstrual blood loss, dysmenorrhoea and premenstrual syndrome; unequivocally reduces the later incidence of endometrial and ovarian cancer; appears to help protect future fertility, probably by reducing the risk of acute pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis and uterine fibroids. The quality of evidence for individual non-contraceptive health benefits of the COCP is very variable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. helena@med.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: Ian S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: Gabor T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Kovacs
mesh_terms: D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000188:drug therapy; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D011372:Progestins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D011372:Progestins