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Query: UMLS:C0476089 (endometrial cancer)
 11,379 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Although the adverse effects of oral contraceptives (OCs) should be given serious consideration, the many beneficial effects of OC use should also receive recognition. The main advantage of the pill is its effectiveness as a method of reversible fertility control, enabling women to be free of the fear of unwanted pregnancy and its psychological, social, and physical implications. In addition, however, there are numerous noncontraceptive advantages. Many symptoms related to ovulation and menstruation, such as dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, irregular menses, menorrhagia, and ovulation pain, disappear or are greatly reduced through OC use, especially in young women. Endometriosis and functional ovarian cysts are less common in OC users, and the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease in OC users is about half that in nonusers of contraception. The reduced menstrual blood loss resulting from OC use cuts the risk of iron deficiency anemia by 50%. In addition, the pill has a protective effect against benign breast disease and appears to reduce the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer. Other beneficial effects include a reduction in the rate of thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and possibly duodenal ulcers.
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PMID:The benefits of oral contraceptives. 392 18

A sizeable literature corroborates the multiple health benefits of oral contraceptive use. The first estrogen/progestin combination pills were marketed to treat a variety of menstrual disorders. Although currently used oral contraceptives no longer carry FDA-approved labeling for these indications, they remain important therapeutic options for a variety of gynecologic conditions. Well-established gynecologic benefits include a reduction in dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia, iron-deficiency anemia, ectopic pregnancy, and PID. Although older, higher-dose pills reduced the incidence of ovarian cysts, low-dose pills suppress follicular activity less consistently. Nevertheless, cycle-related symptoms, including functional cysts, dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, and ovulation pain (mittelschmerz), generally improve. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome note improvement in bleeding patterns and a reduction in acne and hirsutism. Symptoms from endometriosis also improve with oral contraceptive therapy. Current data suggest that oral contraceptive therapy increases bone density and that past use decreases fracture risk. Oral contraceptives also improve acne, a major health concern of young women. Oral contraceptives provide lasting reduction in the risk of two serious gynecologic malignancies--ovarian and endometrial cancer. The data with respect to ovarian cancer are compelling enough to recommend the use of oral contraceptives to women at high risk by virtue of family history, positive carrier status of the BRCA mutations, or nulliparity, even if contraception is not required. Health care providers must counsel women regarding these benefits to counteract deeply held public attitudes and misconceptions regarding oral contraceptive use. Messages should focus on topics of interest to particular groups of women. The fact that oral contraceptives increase bone mineral density and reduce ovarian cancer is of great interest to women in their forties and helps influence use and compliance in this group. In contrast, the beneficial effects of oral contraceptives on acne resonates with younger women. Getting the good news out about the benefits of oral contraceptives will enable more women to take advantage of their positive health effects.
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PMID:Health benefits of oral contraceptives. 1109 85

Patients with hyperandrogenic syndromes and diseases exacerbated by pregnancy and those taking common dermatologic drugs associated with risk to the fetus require prescription of contraceptives by the dermatologist. In healthy, nonsmoking women, oral contraception does not increase the risk of cerebral or cardiac vascular disease and is associated with major benefits besides avoiding pregnancy. These include prevention of ovarian and endometrial carcinoma, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovulation pain, and menstrual cycle disorders. This article will review the mechanism of action, side effects, health risks, contraindications, initiation of the oral contraceptive regimen, and patient follow-up, as well as interactions between contraceptives and other drugs.
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PMID:[Oral contraceptives in dermatology]. 1970 48