Key result
Oral contraceptive use increases vascular risks, especially in smokers, but provides persistent protection against endometrial and ovarian cancer that counterbalances the adverse effects.
Why the study?
Does the use of oral contraceptives increase the risk of cardiovascular events and provide protection against certain cancers in women?
Does the use of oral contraceptives increase the risk of cardiovascular events and provide protection against certain cancers in women?
The cardiovascular risks associated with oral contraceptive use appear to be counterbalanced by the persistent protective benefits against endometrial and ovarian cancer.
Former OC use was associated with elevated stroke risk; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
The most important established adverse events associated with use of oral contraceptives are the cardiovascular ones. Many studies have shown that women have an increased risk of numerous vascular conditions while they use the contraceptive pill. There is little epidemiological evidence to support the hypothesis that this risk persists once the pill is stopped. The Royal College of General Practitioners' (RCGP) Oral Contraception Study has observed an elevated risk of stroke among former users of the pill but this effect seems to diminish with time. Smoking appears greatly to exacerbate the vascular effects of oral contraceptives. Important medical benefits associated with oral contraceptive use include a substantial, persistent protection against endometrial and ovarian cancer. Currently available mortality data suggest that these benefits counterbalance the adverse effects.
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Philip C Hannaford (1995) conducted a review in Contraception. Oral contraceptives vs. Non-use was evaluated on Cardiovascular events, cancer protection, and mortality. Oral contraceptive use increases vascular risks, especially in smokers, but provides persistent protection against endometrial and ovarian cancer that counterbalances the adverse effects.
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