The combined oral contraceptive pill -- recent developments, risks and benefits
Dragoman, M.V.
Best Practice and Research. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology 28(6): 825-834
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 1532-1932 PMID: 25028259 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2014.06.003Document Number: 622782
The introduction of the birth control pill as an effective, coitally-independent method of contraception was a public health milestone of the last century. Over time, combined oral contraception (COC) formulations and pill-taking regimens have evolved with improved safety and tolerability while maintaining contraceptive efficacy. In addition to protection against pregnancy, use of combined oral contraception confers a number of significant non-contraceptive benefits to users. COC use is also associated with well-studied risks. Common side effects are generally self-limiting and improve with increasing duration of use while serious adverse events, including venous thromboembolism, are rare among healthy COC users. Contraceptive decision-making should include consideration of both the risks and benefits of a given method versus the real consequences of unintended pregnancy.
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