Non-contraceptive benefits of oral contraceptives

Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy

Volumn 9, Issue 13, 2008, Pages 2317-2325

  Huber, Johannes C ^a   Bentz, Eva Katrin ^a   Ott, Johannes ^a   Tempfer, Clemens B ^a  

^a MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA   (Austria)

Author keywords

Acne; Benign breast disease; Colorectal cancer; Endometrial cancer; Endometriosis; Menstrual disorder; Oral contraceptives; Ovarian cancer; Pelvic inflammatory disease; Premenstrual syndrome

Indexed keywords

CHLORMADINONE ACETATE; CHLORMADINONE ACETATE PLUS ETHINYLESTRADIOL; CONTRACEPTIVE AGENT; CYPROPTERONE ACETATE; DANAZOL; DESOGESTREL; DESOGESTREL PLUS ETHINYLESTRADIOL; DIANE; DROSPIRENONE; DROSPIRENONE PLUS ETHINYLESTRADIOL; ESTRADIOL; ESTROGEN; ETHINYLESTRADIOL; ETHINYLESTRADIOL PLUS LEVONORGESTREL; GESTAGEN; GONADORELIN AGONIST; LEVONORGESTREL; NONSTEROID ANTIINFLAMMATORY AGENT; ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE AGENT; PLACEBO; STEROID; UNCLASSIFIED DRUG;

ACNE; AMENORRHEA; BLEEDING; BREAST DISEASE; CANCER PREVENTION; CANCER RISK; CLINICAL TRIAL; COLORECTAL CANCER; DOSE RESPONSE; DRUG DOSE COMPARISON; DRUG EFFICACY; DRUG INDICATION; DRUG MECHANISM; DRUG MEGADOSE; DRUG RESPONSE; DRUG TOLERABILITY; DYSMENORRHEA; ENDOMETRIOSIS; ENDOMETRIUM CANCER; ESTROGEN DEFICIENCY; HORMONAL REGULATION; HORMONE SUBSTITUTION; HUMAN; LOW DRUG DOSE; MENORRHAGIA; MENSTRUATION DISORDER; ORAL CONTRACEPTION; OVARY CANCER; OVARY CYST; PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE; PREMENSTRUAL DYSPHORIC DISORDER; PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME; REVIEW; RISK REDUCTION; TRANSDERMAL PATCH; UTERUS MYOMA; WOMEN'S HEALTH;

ACNE VULGARIS; BREAST DISEASES; BREAST NEOPLASMS; COLORECTAL NEOPLASMS; CONTRACEPTIVES, ORAL; ENDOMETRIAL NEOPLASMS; ENDOMETRIOSIS; FEMALE; HUMANS; LEIOMYOMA; MENORRHAGIA; OVARIAN CYSTS; OVARIAN NEOPLASMS; UTERINE NEOPLASMS;

EID: 52249094606     PISSN: 14656566     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1517/14656566.9.13.2317     Document Type: Review

References (99)

1. Collaborative Group on Epidemiological Studies of Ovarian Cancer. Ovarian cancer and oral contraceptives: Collaborative reanalysis of data from 45 epidemiological studies including 23257 women with ovarian cancer and 87303 controls. Lancet 2008;371:303-14
2. Burkman RT, Collins JA, Shulman LP, Williams JK. Current perspectives on oral contraceptive use. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;185(2 Suppl):S4-12
3. Petitti DB. Clinical practice. Combination estrogen-progestin oral contraceptives. N Engl J Med 2003;349(15):1443-50
4. The ESHRE Capri Workshop Group. Noncontraceptive health benefits of combined oral contraception. Hum Reprod Update 2005;11(5):513-25 [Epub 2005 Jul 8]
5. Dayal M, Barnhart KT. Noncontraceptive benefits and therapeutic uses of the oral contraceptive pill. Semin Reprod Med 2001;19(4):295-303
6. Schlesselman JJ. Cancer of the breast and reproductive tract in relation to use of oral contraceptives. Contraception 1989;40(1):1-38
7. The reduction in risk of ovarian cancer associated with oral-contraceptive use. The Cancer and Steroid Hormone Study of the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. N Engl J Med 1987;316(11):650-5
8. Schlesselman JJ. Net effect of oral contraceptive use on the risk of cancer in women in the United States. Obstet Gynecol 1995;85(5 Pt 1):793-801
9. Ness RB, Grisso JA, Cottreau C, et al. Factors related to inflammation of the ovarian epithelium and risk of ovarian cancer. Epidemiology 2000;11(2):111-7
10. Tworoger SS, Fairfield KM, Colditz GA, et al. Association of oral contraceptive use, other contraceptive methods, and infertility with ovarian cancer risk. Am J Epidemiol 2007;166(8):894-901 [Epub 2007 Jul 26]
11. Vessey M, Painter R. Oral contraceptive use and cancer. Findings in a large cohort study, 1968-2004. Br J Cancer 2006;95(3):385-9 [Epub 2006 Jul 4]
12. Hannaford PC, Selvaraj S, Elliott AM, et al. Cancer risk among users of oral contraceptives: cohort data from the Royal College of General Practitioner's oral contraception study. BMJ 2007;335(7621):651
13. Levi F, Lucchini F, Negri E, et al. Cancer mortality in Europe, 1995-1999, and an overview of trends since 1960. Int J Cancer 2004;110(2):155-69
14. McLaughlin JR, Risch HA, Lubinski J, et al. Hereditary Ovarian Cancer Clinical Study Group. Reproductive risk factors for ovarian cancer in carriers of BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations: a case-control study. Lancet Oncol 2007;8(1):26-34
15. Prentice RL, Thomas DB. On the epidemiology of oral contraceptives and disease. Adv Cancer Res 1987;49:285-401
16. Schlesselman JJ. Oral contraceptives and neoplasia of the uterine corpus. Contraception 1991;43(6):557-79
17. The Cancer and Steroid Hormone Study of the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Combination oral contraceptive use and the risk of endometrial cancer. JAMA 1987;257(6):796-800
18. IARC. Monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans. Hormonal contraception and post-menopausal hormonal therapy. Lyon: WHO, IARC; 1999;72
19. La Vecchia C, Altieri A, Franceschi S, Tavani A. Oral contraceptives and cancer: an update. Drug Saf 2001;24(10):741-54
20. Voigt LF, Deng Q, Weiss NS. Recency, duration, and progestin content of oral contraceptives in relation to the incidence of endometrial cancer (Washington, USA). Cancer Causes Control 1994;5(3):227-33
21. Levi F, La Vecchia C, Gulie C, et al. Oral contraceptives and the risk of endometrial cancer. Cancer Causes Control 1991;2(2):99-103
22. Weiderpass E, Adami HO, Baron JA, et al. Use of oral contraceptives and endometrial cancer risk (Sweden). Cancer Causes Control 1999;10(4):277-84
23. Vessey M, Painter R, Yeates D. Mortality in relation to oral contraceptive use and cigarette smoking. Lancet 2003;362(9379):185-91
24. Xu WH, Xiang YB, Ruan ZX, et al. Menstrual and reproductive factors and endometrial cancer risk: results from a population-based case-control study in urban Shanghai. Int J Cancer 2004;108(4):613-9
25. Tao MH, Xu WH, Zheng W, et al. Oral contraceptive and IUD use and endometrial cancer: a population-based case-control study in Shanghai, China. Int J Cancer 2006;119(9):2142-7
26. Potter JD, McMichael AJ. Large bowel cancer in women in relation to reproductive and hormonal factors: a case-control study. J Natl Cancer Inst 1983;71(4):703-9
27. Furner SE, Davis FG, Nelson RL, Haenszel W. A case-control study of large bowel cancer and hormone exposure in women. Cancer Res 1989;49(17):4936-40
28. Kune GA, Kune S, Watson LF. Oral contraceptive use does not protect against large bowel cancer. Contraception 1990;41(1):19-25
29. Weiss NS, Daling JR, Chow WH. Incidence of cancer of the large bowel in women in relation to reproductive and hormonal factors. J Natl Cancer Inst 1981;67(1):57-60
30. Bostick RM, Potter JD, Kushi LH, et al. Sugar, meat, and fat intake, and non-dietary risk factors for colon cancer incidence in Iowa women (United States). Cancer Causes Control 1994;5(1):38-52
31. Fernandez E, La Vecchia C, Balducci A, et al. Oral contraceptives and colorectal cancer risk: a meta-analysis. Br J Cancer 2001;84(5):722-7
32. Martínez ME, Grodstein F, Giovannucci E, et al. A prospective study of reproductive factors, oral contraceptive use, and risk of colorectal cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 1997;6(1):1-5
33. Levi F, Pasche C, Lucchini F, La Vecchia C. Oral contraceptives and colorectal cancer. Dig Liver Dis 2003;35(2):85-7
34. Fernandez E, La Vecchia C, Franceschi S, et al. Oral contraceptive use and risk of colorectal cancer. Epidemiology 1998;9(3):295-300
35. Beral V, Hermon C, Kay C, et al. Mortality associated with oral contraceptive use: 25 year follow up of cohort of 46 000 women from Royal College of General Practitioners' oral contraception study. BMJ 1999;318(7176):96-100
36. Kabat GC, Miller AB, Rohan TE. Oral contraceptive use, hormone replacement therapy, reproductive history and risk of colorectal cancer in women. Int J Cancer 2008;122(3):643-6
37. Royal College of General Practitioner's Oral Contraception Study. Effect on hypertension and benign breast disease of progestagen component in combined oral contraceptives. Lancet 1977;1(8012):624
38. Brinton LA, Vessey MP, Flavel R, Yeates D. Risk factors for benign breast disease. Am J Epidemiol 1981;113(3):203-14
39. Mishell DR Jr. Noncontraceptive health benefits of oral steroidal contraceptives. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1982;142(6 Pt 2):809-16
40. Vamre TB, Stalsberg H, Thomas DB; The WHO Collaborative Study of Neoplasia and Steroid Contraceptives. Extra-tumoral breast tissue in breast cancer patients: variations with steroid contraceptive use. Int J Cancer 2006;118(11):2827-31
41. Prentice RL, Thomas DB. On the epidemiology of oral contraceptives and disease. Adv Cancer Res 1987;49:285-401
42. Peterson HB, Lee NC. The health effects of oral contraceptives: misperceptions, controversies, and continuing good news. Clin Obstet Gynecol 1989;32(2):339-55
43. Vessey M, Metcalfe A, Wells C, et al. Ovarian neoplasms, functional ovarian cysts, and oral contraceptives. BMJ (Clin Res Ed) 1987;294(6586):1518-20
44. Holt VL, Daling JR, McKnight B, et al. Functional ovarian cysts in relation to the use of monophasic and triphasic oral contraceptives. Obstet Gynecol 1992;79(4):529-33
45. Lanes SF, Birmann B, Walker AM, Singer S. Oral contraceptive type and functional ovarian cysts. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1992;166(3):956-61
46. Westhoff C, Britton JA, Gammon MD, et al. Oral contraceptive and benign ovarian tumors. Am J Epidemiol 2000;152(3):242-6
47. The ESHRE Capri Workshop Group. Ovarian and endometrial function during hormonal contraception. Hum Reprod 2001;16(7):1527-35
48. Grimes DA, Jones LB, Lopez LM, Schulz KF. Oral contraceptives for functional ovarian cysts. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2006;(4):CD006134
49. Ross RK, Pike MC, Vessey MP, et al. Risk factors for uterine fibroids: reduced risk associated with oral contraceptives. BMJ (Clin Res Ed) 1986;293(6543):359-62
50. Chiaffirino F, Parazzini F, La Vecchia C, et al. Use of oral contraceptives and uterine fibroids: results from a case-control study. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1999;106(8):857-60
51. Parazzini F, Negri E, La Vecchia C, et al. Oral contraceptive use and risk of uterine fibroids. Obstet Gynecol 1992;79(3):430-3
52. Marshall LM, Spiegelman D, Goldman MB, et al. A prospective study of reproductive factors and oral contraceptive use in relation to the risk of uterine leiomyomata. Fertil Steril 1998;70(3):432-9
53. Wise LA, Palmer JR, Harlow BL, et al. Reproductive factors, hormonal contraception, and risk of uterine leiomyomata in African-American women: a prospective study. Am J Epidemiol 2004;159(2):113-23
54. Moore J, Kennedy S, Prentice A. Modern combined oral contraceptives for pain associated with endometriosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;(2):CD001019
55. Attar E, Bulun SE. Aromatase and other steroidogenic genes in endometriosis: translational aspects. Hum Reprod Update 2006;12(1):49-56
56. Maia H Jr, Casoy J, Correia T, et al. The effect of oral contraceptives on aromatase expression in the eutopic endometrium of patients with endometriosis. Gynecol Endocrinol 2008;24(3):123-8
57. Davis L, Kennedy SS, Moore J, Prentice A. Modern combined oral contraceptives for pain associated with endometriosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007;(3):CD001019
58. Burkman TR, Oral contraceptives: current status. Clin Obstet Gynecol 2001;(44):62-72
59. Rubin GL, Ory HW, Layde PM. Oral contraceptives and pelvic inflammatory disease. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1982;144(6):630-5
60. Wolner-Hanssen P, Eschenbach DA, Paavonen J, et al. Decreased risk of symptomatic chlamydial pelvic inflammatory disease associated with oral contraceptive use. JAMA 1990;263(1):54-9
61. Eschenbach DA, Harnisch JP, Holmes KK. Pathogenesis of acute pelvic inflammatory disease: role of contraception and other risk factors. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1977;128(8):838-50
62. Iyer V, Farquhar C, Jepson R. Oral contraceptive pills for heavy menstrual bleeding. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;(2):CD000154
63. Thomas SL, Ellertson C. Nuisance or natural and healthy: should monthly menstruation be optional for women? Lancet 2000;355(9207):922-4
64. Vessey M, Painter R and Mant J. Oral contraception and other factors in relation to hospital referral for menstrual problems without known underlying cause. Findings in a large cohort study. Br J Fam Plann 1996;22:166-9
65. Lundström V, Gréen K. Endogenous levels of prostaglandin F2alpha and its main metabolites in plasma and endometrium of normal and dysmenorrheic women. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1978;130(6):640-6
66. Maia H Jr, Casoy J, Correia T, et al. Effect of the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptives on aromatase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in adenomyosis. Gynecol Endocrinol 2006;22(10):547-51
67. Hauksson A, Ekström P, Juchnicka E, et al. The influence of a combined oral contraceptive on uterine activity and reactivity to agonists in primary dysmenorrhea. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1989;68(1):31-4
68. Milsom I, Sundell G, Andersch B. The influence of different combined oral contraceptives on the prevalence and severity of dysmenorrhea. Contraception 1990;42(5):497-506
69. Jensen JT, Speroff L. Health benefits of oral contraceptives. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am 2000;27(4):705-21
70. Matsumoto Y, Yamabe S, Ideta K, Kawabata M. Impact of use of combined oral contraceptive pill on the quality of life of Japanese women. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2007;33(4):529-35
71. Harel Z. Dysmenorrhea in adolescents and young adults: etiology and management. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 2006;19(6):363-71
72. Hallberg L, Högdahl AM, Nilsson L, Rybo G. Menstrual blood loss - a population study. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1966;45:25-56
73. Nilsson L, Sölvell L. Clinical studies on oral contraceptives - a randomized, doubleblind, crossover study of 4 different preparations (Anovlar mite, Lyndiol mite, Ovulen, and Volidan). Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1967;46(8)(Suppl 8):1-31
74. Fraser IS, McCarron G. Randomized trial of 2 hormonal and 2 prostaglandin-inhibiting agents in women with a complaint of menorrhagia. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 1991;31(1):66-70
75. Orsini G, Laricchia L, Fanelli M. Low-dose combination oral contraceptives use in women with uterine leiomyomas. Minerva Ginecol 2002;54(3):253-61
76. Vessey M, Painter R, Mant J. Oral contraception and other factors in relation to hospital referral for menstrual problems without known underlying cause. Findings in a large cohort study. Br J Fam Plann 1996;22:166-9
77. Iyer V, Farquhar C, Jepson R. Oral contraceptive pills for heavy menstrual bleeding. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;(2):CD000154
78. Hickey M, Higham J, Fraser IS. Progestogens versus oestrogens and progestogens for irregular uterine bleeding associated with anovulation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;(2):CD001895
79. Davis A, Godwin A, Lippman J, et al. Triphasic norgestimate-ethinyl estradiol for treating dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Obstet Gynecol 2000;96(6):913-20
80. Reid RL. Premenstrual syndrome. 2004. Available from: http://www.endotext.org/female/female10/femaleframe10.htm
81. Casson P, Hahn PM, Van Vugt DA, Reid RL. Lasting response to ovariectomy in severe intractable premenstrual syndrome. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1990;162(1):99-105
82. Hahn PM, Van Vugt DA, Reid RL. A randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of danazol for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome. Psychoneuroendocrinology 1995;20(2):193-209
83. Mezrow G, Shoupe D, Spicer D, et al. Depot leuprolide acetate with estrogen and progestin add-back for long-term treatment of premenstrual syndrome. Fertil Steril 1994;62(5):932-7
84. Bancroft J, Rennie D. The impact of oral contraceptives on the experience of perimenstrual mood, clumsiness, food craving and other symptoms. J Psychosom Res 1993;37(2):195-202
85. Andersch B. The effect of various oral contraceptive combinations on premenstrual symptoms. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 1982;20(6):463-9
86. Graham CA, Sherwin BB. A prospective treatment study of premenstrual symptoms using a triphasic oral contraceptive. J Psychosom Res 1992;36(3):257-66
87. Faratian B, Gaspar A, O'Brien PM, et al. Premenstrual syndrome: weight, abdominal swelling, and perceived body image. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1984;150(2):200-4
88. Freeman EW, Kroll R, Rapkin A, et al.; PMS/PMDD Research Group. Evaluation of a unique oral contraceptive in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. J Womens Health Gend Based Med 2001;10(6):561-9
89. Yonkers KA, O'Brien PM, Eriksson E. Premenstrual syndrome. Lancet 2008;371(9619):1200-10
90. Rich P. Hormonal contraceptives for acne management. Cutis 2008;81(1 Suppl):13-8
91. Arowojolu AO, Gallo MF, Grimes DA, Garner SE. Combined oral contraceptive pills for treatment of acne. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2004;(3):CD004425
92. Lemay A, Poulin Y. Oral contraceptives as anti-androgenic treatment of acne. J Obstet Gynaecol Can 2002;24(7):559-67
93. Huber J, Walch K. Treating acne with oral contraceptives: use of lower doses. Contraception 2006;73(1):23-9 [Epub 2005 Sep 26]
94. Rosenberg MJ, Meyers A, Roy V. Efficacy, cycle control, and side effects of Iow- and lower-dose oral contraceptives: a randomized trial of 20 micrograms and 35 micrograms estrogen preparations. Contraception 1999;60(6):321-9
95. Cumming DC. Exercise-associated amenorrhea, low bone density, and estrogen replacement therapy. Arch Intern Med 1996;156(19):2193-5
96. Chen EC, Brzyski RG. Exercise and reproductive dysfunction. Fertil Steril 1999;71(1):1-6
97. Warren MP, Stiehl AL. Exercise and female adolescents: effects on the reproductive and skeletal systems. J Am Med Womens Assoc 1999;54(3):115-20, 138
98. Maia HJ, Casoy J. Non-contraceptive health benefits of oral contraceptives. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care 2008;13(1):17-24
99. Pennisi E. Breakthrough of the year. Human genetic variation. Science 2007;318(5858):1842-3