title: Effects of combined hormonal contraception on health and wellbeing: women's knowledge in northern Italy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated levels of knowledge of the effects of combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) on general/reproductive health and physical/psychosexual wellbeing.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted in two university hospitals in northern Italy. Healthy current-, past- and never CHC users (n = 545; age 18-44 years) completed a self-administered questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-three percent of current-, 74% of past-, and 56% of never users believed they were sufficiently informed (χ(2): 67.1; p = 0.001) about the benefits and risks of CHCs. Respondents mentioned: (i) a reduced risk of ovarian (67%) and endometrial (53%) cancer; (ii) an increased risk of thrombosis (82%); (iii) an increased risk of breast cancer (45%); (iv) a decreased fertility (19%) and no influence on risk of sexually transmitted infections (48%); (v) a reduced risk of menstrual abnormalities (77%) and acne (79%); (vi) less dysmenorrhoea (83%) and more headache (56%), weight gain (74%), increased appetite (51%), leg cramps (77%), mood swings (45%), vaginal dryness (47%), and low sex drive (48%). Beliefs about diseases/conditions and symptoms were influenced by CHC use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CHC use is linked to good knowledge of risks and benefits. Our data suggest HCPs must be proactive in providing relevant information so that women can choose their contraception with a balanced insight of side effects.
authors.affiliation: * Research Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Gynaecological Endocrinology and Menopause, Fondazione IRCCS San Matteo , Pavia , Italy.
authors.forename: Rossella E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Nappi
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pellegrinelli
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Campolo
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lanzo
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Santamaria
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suragna
authors.forename: Arsenio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spinillo
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Benedetto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003267:Contraception / Q000523:psychology*; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D057566:Self Report; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined
keywords: Combined hormonal contraceptives; Knowledge; Northern Italy; Risk; Women