Non-contraceptive benefits of oral hormonal contraceptives

Authors

  • Adolf E. Schindler Institute for Medical Research and Education, Essen, Germany

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18370/2309-4117.2013.14.23-30

Keywords:

oral hormonal contraceptives, therapeutics, prevention

Abstract

It is becoming evident that oral hormonal contraceptives-besides being well established contraceptives-seem to become important medications for many functional or organic disturbances. So far, clinical eff ectiveness has been shown for treatment as well as prevention of menstrual bleeding disorders and menstrualrelated pain symptoms. Also this is true for premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual disphoric disorder.
Particular oral contraceptives (OCs) containing anti-androgenic progestogens were shown to be eff ective medications for treatment of androgenisation symptoms (seborrhea, acne, hirsutism, alopecia).
Through perfect suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis OCs have proven to be eff ective in elimination of persistent follicular cysts. Endometriosis/adenomyosis related pain symptoms are well handled similar to other drugs like Gonadotropine Releasing Hormone agonists but are less expensive, with less side eff ects, and possibility to be used for longer periods of time. This is also true for myoma. Pelvic infl ammatory disease, rheumatoid arthritis, menstrual migraine, and onset of multiple sclerosis are prevented or delayed. Bone density is preserved and asthma symptoms improved. Endometrial hyperplasia and benign breast disease can be controlled. There is defi nitely a signifi cant impact on risk reduction regarding endometrial, ovarian, and colon cancers.
In conclusion, it needs to be recognized that oral combined hormonal contraceptives (estrogen/progestogen combination) are – besides being reliable forms of contraception – are cost-eff ective medications for many medical disorders in women. Therefore, these contraceptives drugs are important for female health and should be used in clinical practice.

Author Biography

Adolf E. Schindler, Institute for Medical Research and Education, Essen

Professor

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Published

2013-11-12

How to Cite

Schindler, A. E. (2013). Non-contraceptive benefits of oral hormonal contraceptives. REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY, (14), 23–30. https://doi.org/10.18370/2309-4117.2013.14.23-30

Issue

No. 14 (2013)

Section

Reproductology

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Copyright (c) 2014 Adolf E. Schindler

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