Non-contraceptive benefits of oral contraceptives.
BACKGROUND
There is increasing awareness of the opportunity that many contraceptive interventions may provide for additional health benefits. However, treatment of medical problems with oral contraceptives (OCs) is often an 'off-label' practice.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this review is to summarize available data on non-contraceptive benefits of OCs.


METHODS
Review of the literature.


RESULTS
OCs have been shown to reduce the risk of ovarian, endometrial, and colorectal cancer. It has been suggested that OCs may be used in treatment of endometriosis, menorrhagia, and uterine leiomyomas. Pelvic inflammatory disease, dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, and acne have been shown to improve under OCs.


CONCLUSIONS
OCs are important for global and female health. Besides contraception, non-contraceptive effects of OCs are evidence based, well established, and commonly used in clinical practice.
Huber
Johannes C
JC
University of Vienna School of Medicine, Department of Gynaecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Vienna, Austria. johannes.huber@meduniwien.ac.at
Bentz
Eva-Katrin
EK
Ott
Johannes
J
Tempfer
Clemens B
CB
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000517:prevention & control; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000188:drug therapy; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000188:drug therapy; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral