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ALL / Pharmacology
Combined oral contraceptive pill: advantages/disadvantages
Combined oral contraceptive pill: advantages/disadvantages
Advantages of combined oral contraceptive pill- highly effective (failure rate < 1 per 100 woman years)
- doesn't interfere with sex
- contraceptive effects reversible upon stopping
- usually makes periods regular, lighter and less painful
- reduced risk of ovarian, endometrial - this effect may last for several decades after cessation
- reduced risk of colorectal cancer
- may protect against pelvic inflammatory disease
- may reduce ovarian cysts, benign breast disease, acne vulgaris
Disadvantages of combined oral contraceptive pill
- people may forget to take it
- offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections
- increased risk of venous thromboembolic disease
- increased risk of breast and cervical cancer
- increased risk of stroke and ischaemic heart disease (especially in smokers)
- temporary side-effects such as headache, nausea, breast tenderness may be seen
Whilst some users report weight gain whilst taking the combined oral contraceptive pill a Cochrane review did not support a causal relationship.
+PassMedicine Notes
Advantages of combined oral contraceptive pill
- highly effective (failure rate < 1 per 100 woman years)
- doesn't interfere with sex
- contraceptive effects reversible upon stopping
- usually makes periods regular, lighter and less painful
- reduced risk of ovarian, endometrial - this effect may last for several decades after cessation
- reduced risk of colorectal cancer
- may protect against pelvic inflammatory disease
- may reduce ovarian cysts, benign breast disease, acne vulgaris
- people may forget to take it
- offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections
- increased risk of venous thromboembolic disease
- increased risk of breast and cervical cancer
- increased risk of stroke and ischaemic heart disease (especially in smokers)
- temporary side-effects such as headache, nausea, breast tenderness may be seen
Whilst some users report weight gain whilst taking the combined oral contraceptive pill a Cochrane review did not support a causal relationship.