In defense of the pill
Goldzieher, J.W.
Ginecologia y Obstetricia de Mexico 44(262): 123-152
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-9041 PMID: 359420 Document Number: 129622
This article reviews the published literature on studies done on side effects of hormonal contraception, and warns against too adverse reports. The author summarizes advantages and disadvantages of oral contraception (OC), and classifies the information as to whether it results from experimental or epidemiological studies. Known effects of OC are congenital abnormalities, lipid and carbohydrate metabolic effects, hypertension, cardiovascular effects, hepatic effects, and carcinogenic effects. Risks from OC are compared to effectiveness of treatment in itself, and as compared to other contraceptive methods and to the risk of pregnancy, especially for certain categories of women. With OC generalizations are not possible and always dangerous; every single case must be carefully evaluated.