The "Other" Benefits of Oral Contraceptives

Dateline 1/31/00

Most of us think of oral contraceptives as a means of preventing unplanned pregnancies. Oral contraceptives contain progestin and may also contain a synthetic estrogen. With consistent and proper use oral contraceptives are a highly effective method of contraception.

But did you know there are several other reproductive health conditions that can be improved or prevented with the use of these hormones? According to American Family Physician's most recent
update on oral contraceptives, "The non contraceptive benefits (and favorable side effect profiles) of oral contraceptive pills are so important that some patients use the pills exclusively for those
reasons."

The conditions which the American Academy of Family Physicians endorses the use of oral contraceptives are:

Acne- Excessive androgens have been implicated in the development of acne. Oral contraceptives reduce the amount of androgen that is available. Just how this works depends on the specific hormone combination in a particular oral contraceptive. In a 1997 study, 83% of participants who
received norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol rated their acne improved after six months. Sales of Ortho Tri-Cyclen have tripled since the results of this study were published, and the FDA gave Johnson & Johnson the right to sell Ortho Tri-Cyclen for the treatment of acne.

Benign Breast Cysts- Oral contraceptives are considered first line treatment for this condition. Seventy to ninety percent of patients see improvement in the symptoms of fibrocystic breast conditions with use of oral contraceptives.

Dysmenorrhea- While the FDA does not approve of oral contraceptives prescribed primarily for the relief of cramps, women who use these hormone rarely experience menstrual cramps.

Ectopic Pregnancy- According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) there is clearly controversy about whether oral contraceptives prevent Ectopic pregnancy. An Ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg fails to implant itself in the uterus, most often remaining in the fallopian tubes.

Endometriosis- Progestin only oral contraceptives are an effective treatment for endometriosis. Unfortunately the side effects of this treatment which includes irregular bleeding, fluid retention, and depression have made this option unbearable for many women.

Functional Ovarian Cysts- These are the most common type of ovarian cyst and usually dissolve within two menstrual cycles without treatment. Oral contraceptives may help prevent this type of ovarian cyst by helping to regulate the menstrual cycle.

Hirsutism- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of excessive hair growth in women. Oral contraceptives can improve or stabilize up to 50% of cases caused by PCOS.

Metrorrhagia- Women who experience abnormal uterine bleeding can often regulate their menstrual cycle with oral contraceptives, if after close medical investigation the abnormal bleeding is not found to be a symptom of a more serious condition.

Mittelschmerz- Oral contraceptives block the surge of hormones that occurs before ovulation, and are often effective for relieving mid-cycle or ovulation pain.

Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer- Women who use oral contraceptives experience these types of cancer at about half the rate of nonusers. However it's important to note that there may be an increased risk of breast cancer and cervical cancer in women who use oral contraceptives for more than five years.

Premenstrual Syndrome- Many women experience less symptoms of PMS while using oral contraceptives. However, there are other treatments and lifestyle modifications which may also provide relief and which should be considered.

Oral contraceptives may not be the right choice for everyone. For some women the side effects of oral contraceptives may be worse than the original symptom. There is controversy among some healthcare professionals about using synthetic hormones for these purposes when more natural options for many of these conditions exist.

If you think oral contraceptives might be right for treating your reproductive health problems discuss your personal medical history with your physician.