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

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

This study was to observe the longterm safety in using stainless steel ring (metal ring). 6250 cases have been followed up for 15 years. The net cumulative pregnancy rate was 5.51, expulsion rate 17.74, rate of removal due to medical reasons 21.74, continuation rate 6.48/women (life table) after 15 years of insertion. Events took place more frequently in the 1st year of insertion, gradually decreased in the second, and tended to be stabilized to a low level thereafter. The removal rate for nonmedical reasons had been increasing with the increase in the period of insertion. 5 cases of cervical cancer and 2 of endometrial carcinoma occurred within the 15 years of observation. The incidence was not higher than that in the 1971-72 general survey at Shanghai. Among the 6250 cases, there were 43 cases (0.85%) of removal due to infection, and 9 cases of ectopic pregnancy, of which 6 cases occurred within the first 2 years of insertion, and 2 cases of intraperitoneal metal ring were found but with no severe complications. The duration of using the metal ring was also discussed. According to clinical and pathological observations, the metal ring did not increase the risk of uterine cancer and caused only a few mild complications. Therefore, it can be used for 15-20 years, provided there are no clinical symptoms. The relationship between the IUD and ectopic or PID remains to be further explored.
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PMID:[Duration of use for stainless steel ring--15 years of follow-up for 6250 cases]. 1226 99

Progestins in oral contraceptives (OCs) produce potential complications, as well as noncontraceptive benefits, according to Robert A. Hatcher, MD, MPH, professor of gynecology and obstetrics, Emory University Medical School. Hatcher told CTU that lowering the progestin content in an OC may decrease complications, but could also decrease the benefits experienced by women. "The extent to which that will happen remains to be seen," he said. Hatcher cited the following potential complications of progestins in OC: hypertension; decreased levels of high density lipoproteins; acne; oily skin; headaches between pill cycles; dilated leg veins; pelvic congestion syndrome; thrombosis of superficial leg veins; gallstones; Monilia vaginitis; cholestatic jaundice; and depression, fatigue, and decreased libido. Progestins, according to Hatcher, also produce these noncontraceptive benefits: protection against PID; decreased dysmenorrhea; decreased menstrual blood loss, decreased iron deficiency anemia; protection against endometrial cancer; protection against fibrocystic breast disease, and fibroadenomas of the breast; decreased bleeding from fibroids; decreased growth of fibroids. When ovulation is suppressed, Hatcher emphasized, additional benefits that may occur include the following: decreased risk of functional ovarian cysts; elimination of mittleschmerz pain; decreased rick of ovarian cancer; protection against endometriosis.
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PMID:Potential risks, benefits of progestins in birth control pills outlined. 1231 83