Oral contraceptive

Oral contraceptives are chemicals taken by mouth to inhibit normal fertility. All act on the hormonal system. Female oral contraceptives have been on the market since the early 1960s, and enjoy great popularity. They are used by millions of women around the world, though the acceptance varies by region: approximately one-third of sexually active women in the United Kingdom, but much less in countries such as Japan. Male oral contraceptives remain a subject of research and development, and are not widely available to the public.

Benefits

Aside from being a contraceptive and for management of irregular periods, there may be incidental benefits to the Pill. There is some evidence that use of the pill might reduce the incidence of ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer {{ref|4}}. Given that the benefits are less well researched or highlighted than the risks, the question arises as to how the reduction in incidence of these cancers compares against the increased risks of developing breast cancer or deep-vein thrombosis.

Related Topics:
Ovarian cancer - Endometrial cancer - Breast cancer - Deep-vein thrombosis

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