Prevalence Of Oral Contraceptive Use Research Articles

Pharmacoepidemiological Analysis of Oral Contraceptive Use in Adolescents in a German Longitudinal Cohort Study.

To assess the use of oral contraceptives (OC) in adolescents, using data from a longitudinal, population-based pediatric cohort study (LIFE Child). We also investigated associations between OC use and socioeconomic status (SES), and associations between OC use and potential adverse drug reactions such as effects on blood pressure. We included 609 female participants of the LIFE Child cohort, aged ≥13 to <21 years, who visited the study center between 2012 and 2019. Data collection compromised drug use in the past 14 days, SES, and anthropometric data such as blood pressure. An analysis of covariance was used to detect potential associations between participants' blood pressure and OC. Multivariate binary logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios (aOR) adjusted for age and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The prevalence of OC use was 25.8%. OC intake was less common in participants with a high SES (aOR 0.30, 95% CI 0.15, 0.62). The mean age at OC initiation did not change between 2012 and 2019. We observed an increased use of second-generation OC (2013: 17.9%, 2019: 48.5%; p = 0.013) and a decreased use of fourth-generation OC (2013: 71.8%, 2019: 45.5%; p = 0.027). We found a higher systolic (mean: 111.74 mmHg, p < 0.001) and diastolic (69.15 mmHg, p = 0.004) blood pressure in OC users compared to non-users (systolic: 108.60 mmHg; diastolic: 67.24 mmHg). Every fourth adolescent took an OC. The share of second-generation OC increased during the study period. OC intake was associated with low SES. OC users had a slightly higher blood pressure than non-users.

O uso de anticoncepcionais orais por estudantes de medicina: um ponto de vista com enfoque na saúde cardiovascular

Introduction: Women of all age groups use oral contraceptives (OCP) to prevent unintended pregnancy. The relationship between the use of oral contraceptives (OC) and the risk for cardiovascular (CV) events, such as venous thromboembolism (VTE), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and stroke, has been studied for many years. Some adverse reactions are reported by some women, such as headache and dizziness. Objective: To analyze the prevalence of OC use among medical students, as well as the prevalence of self-reported symptoms common to cardiovascular disease (CVD), lipemia, and the frequency of gynecological and cardiological evaluations. Methods: The present study was constructed from an anonymous CV risk factor (RF) self-report questionnaire answered by female medical students during June and November 2020. Data were tabulated in Excel and statistics performed by the Minitab program. Results: About 75% of the women interviewed take or have taken OACs, and 70% of the total of 217 interviewees have some CV symptoms. Conclusion: Cardiovascular symptoms were reported among the female students who use OC, and the correlation between the time of use and the symptoms was considered statistically significant.

Oral contraceptive use in Premiership and Championship women’s rugby union: perceived symptomology, management strategies, and performance and wellness effects

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of oral contraceptive use in domestic rugby union, to compare symptomology by contraceptive use, and to determine symptom management strategies. Additionally, to characterise the perceived influence of oral contraceptive use and non-use on wellness and performance. A total of 238 Premiership and Championship women’s rugby union players completed an online questionnaire. The survey was comprised of questions relating to player characteristics, hormonal or non-hormonal contraceptive characteristics, perceived symptomology, symptom management strategies, and performance and wellness characteristics. The prevalence of oral contraceptive users was 26%. Non-hormonal contraceptive users reported greater perceived negative symptomology (i.e., back pain, nausea, sore breasts) and performance and wellness effects (i.e., fatigue, stress, mood, concentration, power, match-play) than oral contraceptive users. The most common symptom management strategies were medication (33%), nutritional interventions (20%), and training modulation (20%). Twelve percent of players had previously spoken to staff about their menstrual cycle (i.e., regular and irregular) or contraceptive use. The most common barriers to speaking to staff were ‘male staff’ (29%) and ‘club culture’ (24%). The importance of assisting non-hormonal contraceptive users in managing symptoms is evident. Emphasis on overcoming barriers to staff-player dialogue regarding menstrual/contraceptive cycle is required.

Prevalence of the Use of Oral Contraceptives and Hormone Replacement Therapy in Japan: The Japan Nurses' Health Study.

BackgroundThere have been few community-based epidemiological studies in which the prevalence of exogenous hormone use, including the use of oral contraceptives (OCs) and hormone replacement therapy (HRT), has been accurately assessed in Japan.MethodsWe have been conducting repeated surveys of participants in the Japan Nurses’ Health Study (JNHS), as a nationwide prospective cohort study, since 2001. We determined the prevalence of exogenous hormone use at baseline and during a 10-year follow-up period. A total of 15,019 female nurses participated in the JNHS follow-up cohort. We determined the prevalence of OC use in 14,839 women <60 years of age at baseline and the prevalence of HRT use in 7,915 women, excluding premenopausal women, at the last time they answered a questionnaire. The duration of HRT use was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.ResultsSix percent of the participants used OCs. The proportion of HRT users who stopped HRT before the baseline survey, the proportion of women using HRT during the follow-up period, and the proportion of all of the participants who had used HRT were 3.2%, 10.6%, and 13.8%, respectively. The median duration of HRT use was 2 years.ConclusionsThe lifetime prevalences of exogenous hormone use during this prospective study conducted in Japanese nurses were 6.0% for OCs and 13.8% for HRT. The information obtained in this study will be useful for clarification of the association between exogenous estrogen exposure and estrogen-related diseases as future research.

Trends and Factors Associated with Oral Contraceptive Use among Korean Women.

Although oral contraceptives (OC) are widely used, few national-level epidemiologic studies have evaluated the prevalence of OC use and factors related to their use in Korea. We performed a population-based cross-sectional study on OC use by premenopausal women aged 20–59 years residing in Korea. We used secondary data from the 2010–2019 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to examine trends in the annual prevalence of OC use between 2010 and 2019, and factors influencing OC use. Based on data from 14,386 premenopausal women, the average annual prevalence of OC use was 8.2–10.7% between 2010 and 2014; it increased to 12.6–14.4% during 2015–2019. The prevalence of OC use was significantly higher in women with higher (≥5) than lower gravidity (<5). In addition, among sociodemographic factors, education level, household income, cigarette smoking, and alcohol drinking were significantly associated with OC use in Korean women. As OC use is affected by sociodemographic factors, a contraceptive plan that considers sociodemographic factors is needed to establish an effective family planning policy.

Gestational Trophoblastic Disease: An Analysis Focused On Social Determinants Of Health

Background: Cancer causes are varied and interrelated. It can be internal to the body, related to genetic aspects or external to the body which relates to the environment and living habits, as well as social disparities in which individuals are inserted. By realizing that social stratification exposes individuals to different risks, and therefore to a higher or lower vulnerability, which is directly related to the social context in which the individual is inserted, this study aims to understand the relationship between the social determinants of health and Gestational trophoblastic disease, according to the conceptual framework of Dahlgren and Whitehead. Methods: A descriptive study whose population was comprised of the medical records of women diagnosed with GTD. It was held in an obstetrical clinic of a Brazilian Northeast maternity of reference. The period was from June to August 2015. 119 medical records of women with GTD were identified between the years 2012-2013. To understand the relationship between the SDH and the factors related to GTD it was adopted the conceptual framework of Dahlgren and Whitehead. Findings: For each layer of the framework was made a correlation with the data found among the woman. About the first layer it was observed that the prevalence of GTD cases occurred among women aged between 13 and 19, corresponding to 49.9% (n = 59) of the women analysed. Related to the second layer, it was found that there was prevalence of oral contraceptive use with 32.8% (n = 39) of cases. The marital status that prevailed among women was single with 42% (n = 50). About the third layer it was not provided information related to social and community networks on the medical records. According to the fourth layer, the prevalent education level was less than 8 years of study (48.7%). Regarding to occupation, 38.7% (n = 46) of women were housewives. Related to the salary, 6.7% (n = 8) of women indicated have up to 1 minimum wage as income. Most women live on the countryside (60.5%). Related to the fifth layer it was found on the literature the need of intersectorial actions to solve the health inequities to promote an appropriate enviroment of health. Conclusion: It is understood that GTD has multifactorial etiology. Despite of the major influence of the genetic factor, the influence of social determinants on health outcomes of these women cannot be neglected. Therefore, it is essential for health professionals to understand the individuals in their entirety considering the various aspects that involve their lives.

Comparing female‐based contraceptive methods in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and a healthy population

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease that is 10 times more prevalent in women, particularly those of reproductive age. The varying effects of pregnancy on SLE and the differences between available SLE treatments make pregnancy timing and contraceptive methods significant. We aimed to determine the contraceptive methods used by SLE patients in the north-west part of Turkey, and compared them with those used by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy controls. The study was comprised of 113 SLE patients, and 84 RA patients at the Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic of Uludag University Medical Faculty. Twenty-three (20.3%) out of 113 SLE patients, 18 (21.4%) out of 84 RA patients and 17 (18.6%) out of 92 healthy controls did not use any contraceptive methods. Use of the withdrawal and condom methods was more common among SLE patients, accounting for 61% (withdrawal 32.7%, condom 28.3%). Moreover, 52% of SLE and 50% of RA patients were neither given information about contraceptive methods nor offered a suggested method, compared to 34% in the health control group. The prevalence of oral contraceptive use is low in Turkey; notwithstanding the withdrawal and condom methods, which are frequently used despite their high failure risk. Although pregnancy timing is of great importance for SLE patients, necessary information and recommendations concerning contraceptive methods have been ignored and the use of effective methods is not a priority.

A prospective cohort study on patients treated with anticoagulants for cerebral vein thrombosis

Cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT) is a potentially fatal disorder for which treatment guidelines are scanty. To assess the short- and long-term benefit of anticoagulant therapy, we performed a prospective cohort study on CVT patients. Forty-four consecutive CVT patients received conventional anticoagulation with heparin followed by warfarin for at least 3months. Patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of pulmonary embolism (PE) underwent confirmatory objective tests. Acquired or inherited risk factors for thrombosis were investigated in all patients. Thrombotic and hemorrhagic events occurring during treatment, and the long-term outcome using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were recorded. Congenital and/or acquired conditions predisposing to thrombosis were detected in 37 patients (84.1%), with a high prevalence of oral contraceptive use (66.7% of females) and thrombophilia (31.8%); more than one risk factor was seen in 31.8% of cases. At referral, six patients (13.6%) presented with symptoms of PE, which was confirmed in all. During the initial treatment period, two patients (4.5%) developed symptomatic progression of CVT, which was fatal in 1, and 2 (4.5%) developed major bleeding complications. A favorable outcome (mRS 0-2) at 6-12months was recorded in 37 of the 43 patients who survived the acute phase (86%). The outcome of CVT patients managed with conventional anticoagulation who survive the initial phase is favorable in the vast majority. The prevalence of concomitant PE is considerably high, supporting the need of anticoagulant therapy.

Drug-drug interactions - bridging the gulf between the bench and the bedside?

Drug-drug interactions - bridging the gulf between the bench and the bedside?

The Risk of Venous Thrombosis, Including Cerebral Vein Thrombosis, Among Women With Thrombophilia and Oral Contraceptive Use

Several small studies have reported an elevated risk of venous thrombosis (VT) with thrombophilia and oral contraceptive (OCP) use. We aimed to summarize the risk of VT among women with thrombophilia and OCP use and to assess the interaction between the 2 factors. We selected 15 studies that assessed the prevalence of OCP use and thrombophilia among reproductive-aged women. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for each study and pooled using the random effects model. We found an increased risk of VT among women with OCP use (pooled OR 3.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-4.5) and with thrombophilia (pooled OR 4.5, CI 3.4-5.9), respectively. Heterogeneity was significant (I (2) >80%). Women with both thrombophilia and OCP use had a 14-fold risk of VT compared to healthy OCP nonusers (pooled OR 14.25, CI 6.2-32.8). Oral contraceptive use and thrombophilia similarly increase VT risk. Our study confirms an interaction between OCP use and thrombophilia.

Cigarette Smoking Women of Reproductive Age Who Use Oral Contraceptives: Results from the 2002 and 2004 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Systems

Background Despite health warnings about the increased risk of cerebrovascular disease among women who smoke while using oral contraceptives (OCs), prior research suggests that OC use is still prevalent among women who smoke cigarettes. Our objective was to investigate the prevalence of OC use among cigarette smoking women of reproductive age in the United States. Study Design We extracted data from the 2002 and 2004 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys of 76,544 women between 18 and 44 years of age who reported using some form of contraception. OC use, or self-reported use of “the pill,” was examined among those who currently smoke, either everyday or some days. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to compare OC use between smoking and nonsmoking women. Results One fourth (26.9%) of U.S. women who smoke compared with 34.6% of nonsmoking women reported currently using OCs. After adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, marital status, education level, binge drinking, and health care coverage, women who smoke were 0.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.6–0.7) times as likely to use OCs as nonsmoking women. Among women aged 35 to 44 years, the odds of OC use among smokers was even further reduced (odds ratio [OR], 0.3; 95% CI, 0.3–0.4) compared with nonsmokers. Conclusion Among U.S. women of reproductive age who use contraception, particularly among women aged 35 to 44 years, those who smoke cigarettes are significantly less likely to use OCs than those who do not.

The Risk of Venous Thrombosis among Women with Thrombophilia and Oral Contraceptive Use: A Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Several small studies have reported an increased risk of venous thrombosis (VT) with thrombophilic disorders that is compounded by the use of oral contraceptives (OCP). The objective of this meta-analysis was to summarize the risk of VT among women with thrombophilia and OCP use, and to assess the interaction between OCP use and thrombophilia.Methods: Data sources used included MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and COCHRANE REVIEW databases (1950–2008), and reference lists of retrieved articles. We selected studies that assessed among reproductive-aged women with and without VT the prevalence of OCP use and thrombophilic disorders, including factor V Leiden (FVL), prothrombin (PT) G20210A, elevated procoagulant factor VIII, hyperhomocysteinemia, lupus anticoagulant, and deficiencies of proteins C, S and antithrombin III. VT was defined as objectively confirmed deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism or cerebral vein thrombosis. Fifteen studies were included. Two independent reviewers extracted data on study characteristics, quality, risk factors, and outcomes. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for each study and pooled using the random effects model.Results: There was an increased risk of VT in women with OCP use (pooled OR 3.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0–4.5), women with any thrombophilic disorder (pooled OR 4.8, 95% CI 3.6–6.5), women with FVL (pooled OR 4.7, 95% CI 3.1–7.5), and women with PT G20210A (pooled OR 3.3, 95% CI 0.8, 13.1). OCP users with FVL had a 18-fold increased risk of VT compared to healthy OCP non-users (pooled OR 17.8, 95% CI 5.6–56.8) and OCP-using women with PT G20210A had a 12-fold increased risk (pooled OR 12.4, 96% CI 0.9– 166) compared to healthy OCP non-users. The association of OCP use and VT was of similar magnitude among women with FVL (pooled OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.3–7.7) and women without FVL (pooled OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.8 to 8.6). Significant heterogeneity (I2 >80%) was present among models for OCP use, PT G20210A, and OCP use among FVL-negative women.Conclusions: We have shown that OCP use, thrombophilia, and in particular FVL and PT G20210A are associated with an elevated risk of VT of similar magnitude. However, the combination of OCP use and thrombophilia further amplifies the risk of VT compared to when either of the risk factors are considered alone. Though heterogeneity was observed, our study suggests, and confirms previous reports of an interaction between OCP use and thrombophilia.

Effect of Reproductive Factors and Oral Contraceptives on Breast Cancer Risk inBRCA1/2Mutation Carriers and Noncarriers: Results from a Population-Based Study

Multiparity and breast-feeding reduce breast cancer risk, whereas oral contraceptive use may slightly increase breast cancer risk in the general population. However, the effects of these factors in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers are less clear. Case patients were 1,469 women from Los Angeles County ages 20 to 49 years with newly diagnosed breast cancer. Control subjects were 444 women without breast cancer, individually matched to a subset of cases on race, age, and neighborhood. BRCA1/2 genes were sequenced in the cases, and odds ratios of breast cancer associated with various reproductive and hormonal factors in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers and noncarriers were estimated using multivariable logistic regression. Ninety-four women had a deleterious BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Number of full-term pregnancies was inversely associated with breast cancer risk regardless of BRCA1/2 mutation status. Longer breast-feeding duration was protective among noncarriers but not among mutation carriers; however, this apparent effect modification was not statistically significant (P = 0.23). Neither oral contraceptive use overall nor the use of low-dose oral contraceptives was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in any subgroup. Our results suggest that parity protects against breast cancer in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers, whereas breast-feeding does not. Our data suggest no association between oral contraceptive use and breast cancer risk in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. Further confirmation that currently available low-dose oral contraceptives do not increase breast cancer risk in carriers is important from a public health perspective given the high prevalence of oral contraceptive use in the United States.

The Influence of Oral Contraceptives on Athletic Performance in Female Athletes

It is now estimated that the prevalence of oral contraceptive use in athletic women matches that of women in the general population. The oral contraceptive pill (OCP) reduces cycle-length variability and provides a consistent 28-day cycle by controlling concentrations of endogenous sex hormones. The OCP is administered in three different forms that differ widely in chemical constitution and concomitant effects on the human body. As fluctuation in sex steroids are believed to be a possible causal factor in performance and exercise capacity, it is imperative to understand the effect of administering the various types of OCP on women. However, the research into oral contraceptives and exercise performance is not consistent. The type of OCP administered (monophasic, biphasic or triphasic), as well as the type and dose of estrogen and progestogen within, will have varying effects on exercise. To date, research in the area of oral contraceptives and exercise capacity is sparse and much has been plagued by poor research design, methodology and small sample size. It is clear from the research to date that more randomised clinical trials are urgently required to assess the array of OCP formulations currently available to women and their concomitant effect on health and exercise capacity. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to critically appraise the literature to date and to provide a current review of the physiological scientific knowledge base in relation to the OCP and exercise performance. In addition, methodological control, design and conduct will be considered with future areas of research highlighted.

Thrombophilic abnormalities, oral contraceptives, and risk of cerebral vein thrombosis: a meta-analysis

AbstractRecent studies suggest that thrombophilic abnormalities and the use of oral contraceptives (OCs) are the leading causes of cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT). The purpose of this study was to assess the association between CVT and thrombophilic states, OCs, and their interaction. For data sources, we used the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases (January 1994 to March 2005), reference lists of retrieved articles, and contact with content experts. We selected studies comparing the prevalence of OC use and the prevalence of prothrombitic abnormalities in patients with CVT compared with healthy controls. Two reviewers independently selected studies and extracted study characteristics, quality, and outcomes. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for each trial and pooled using the Mantel-Haenszel method. Seventeen studies were included. There was an increased risk of CVT in patients using OCs (OR 5.59; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.95 to 7.91; P < .001), and in patients with factor V Leiden (OR 3.38; 95% CI 2.27 to 5.05; P < .001), with mutation G20 210A of prothrombin (OR 9.27; 95% CI 5.85 to 14.67; P < .001) and with hyperhomocysteinemia (OR 4.07; 95% CI 2.54 to 6.52; P < .001). We concluded that OC users, and patients with factor V Leiden, the prothrombin G20 120A mutation, and hyperhomocysteinemia are at a significantly increased risk of CVT.

Oral Contraceptives and Periodontal Diseases: Rethinking the Association Based Upon Analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data

Historic evidence suggests that use of high-dose combined oral contraceptives (OCs) (containing >50 microg of estrogen and>or=1mg progestin) places women at increased risk for periodontal diseases. Since the mid-1970s, OC formulations have dramatically changed. This study investigated the association between OC use and periodontal diseases among 4,930 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) I and 5,001 NHANES III premenopausal U.S. women, aged 17 to 50 years, before and after the reduction of hormone levels in OCs. Data for this cross-sectional study came from the first (NHANES I, 1971 to 1974) and third (NHANES III, 1988 to 1994) NHANES studies. The prevalence of OC use in the U.S. premenopausal female population in NHANES I was 22% and in NHANES III, 20%. Using multivariable logistic regression, a protective association between current OC use and gingivitis was suggestive but not significant in both NHANES I (odds ratio [OR]=0.65; 95% con- fidence interval [CI]: 0.42 to 1.01) and NHANES III (OR=0.80; 95% CI: 0.61 to 1.02) surveys. Current OC use was also associated with a decreased risk of periodontal disease in NHANES I (OR=0.36; 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.96) and a non-significant association in NHANES III (OR=0.73; 95% CI: 0.50 to 1.07). This analysis failed to validate the theory that earlier high- or current low-dose OC use is associated with increased levels of gingivitis or periodontitis and suggests an important reexamination of the perceived association between OC use and periodontal diseases.

Potential bias due to excluding oral contraceptive users when estimating menstrual cycle characteristics.

Women take oral contraceptives for contraception but also for menstrual dysfunction treatment. This raises the question of whether or not women with menstrual dysfunction are underrepresented in analyses of menstrual function because oral contraceptive users are excluded. To explore this, the authors examined the history of oral contraceptive use among 1322 Black women and White women, aged 35-49 years, who had been randomly selected from a large health plan's membership in Washington, DC, between 1996 and 1999. The women reported whether they took oral contraceptives during their teens, twenties, and thirties, and if so, the reason they took them (prevent pregnancy, medical problem, or both). They also reported their usual menstrual cycle length when not using oral contraceptives during these decades. The prevalence of oral contraceptive use strictly for medical problems was low for both Black women and White women (4-9% of women), and the distributions of usual cycle length were similar for women who did and did not take oral contraceptives. Thus, there was little evidence of substantial bias of estimates of cycle characteristics caused by excluding oral contraceptive users from analyses of menstrual function. However, our data indicate that, with only a few additional questions, information on usual menstrual cycle characteristics can be collected and used to evaluate bias in any given study.

Symptomatic fibroids: the need to include low dose OCPs as a treatment option

Symptomatic fibroids are one of the most common reasons women undergo surgical intervention (hysterectomy, myomectomy, endometrial ablation) or other invasive interventions (uterine artery embolization). Although pharmacologic therapy with GnRH analogues, Danazol, RU486 and NSAIDs are occasionally prescribed, rarely are oral contraceptives (OCPs) prescribed for either fibroid prevention or treatment of symptoms. It appears that OCPs are underutilized as a first-line treatment option because of the common belief that OCPs will stimulate fibroid growth and worsen symptoms. This paper reviews the literature on the effects of OCPs on fibroids and evaluates the prevalence of OCP use in a subset of women with fibroids presenting for uterine artery embolization (UAE). From 1/98 through 11/98, women who presented for a UAE were consecutively evaluated under an IRB protocol and data were collected on the reasons for their requesting UAE, the symptoms they were experiencing and what treatment options they had been offered before coming in for UAE. Information was also collected on the number of women who had been treated pharmacologically (ie low dose OCPs) and who had been admitted to a hospital for a surgical procedure (ie myomectomy, D&C, endometrial ablation) before presenting for a UAE. Information also was collected by a MEDLINE search on the effect of OCPs on uterine fibroids. Eighty-four women between the ages of 29 and 60 with symptomatic leiomyoma presented for uterine artery embolization. Three of the women in this cohort had prior surgery. None of the women had been given OCPs as treatment for their pelvic pathology. The literature did not support the association of the use of low dose OCPs and fibroid growth. Women in this cohort with the chief complaint of leiomyomatous uterus had not been offered low dose OCPs. It appears that practitioners are still concerned about possible fibroid growth with low dose OCPs. Education in this area is important to dispel misconceptions about OCP use in women with uterine leiomyoma. As well, there is a need for more research that evaluates the benefits of low dose OCPs in this subset of women.

Oral contraceptives and primary liver cancer: Temporal trends in three countries

To determine if vital statistics support a temporal association between the introduction of oral contraceptives (OC) and the incidence of, and mortality from, primary liver cancer in three countries from different regions of the world. We used Cancer Incidence in Five Continents, volumes I-VI, for incidence data on primary liver cancer in the United States and Japan. The Centre for Epidemiology in Stockholm provided the incidence data for Sweden. We obtained mortality data for the U.S. from Vital Statistics of the United States, for Japan from The World Health Statistics Annual, and for Sweden from Swedish government sources. We compiled data on the prevalence of OC use in all three countries from multiple sources, including the National Survey of Family Growth, The Population Council, and original articles. Despite several hundred million woman-years of exposure to OCs, primary liver cancer incidence and mortality rates among women have not changed substantially in the United States. In Sweden, another country with extensive OC use, the primary liver cancer incidence trends in women paralleled those of men. The incidence of, and mortality rate from, primary liver cancer is gradually rising in Japan, where OC use has been negligible. Population-based data from three industrialized countries with very different patterns of oral contraceptive use provide no support for a measurable effect of OCs on primary liver cancer. Although case-control studies from developed countries have suggested an increase in risk, if such an effect does exist, the public health impact appears to be negligible.

The impact of oral contraception on chlamydial infection among patients with pelvic inflammatory disease

The prevalence of oral contraceptive use in association with chlamydial pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and the presence of anti-chlamydial IgG and IgA in a population of 144 hospitalized and outpatient subjects with a standard diagnosis of PID was studied. The rates of chlamydial PID and IgA detection were 15.3% ( 22 144 ) and 13.9% ( 20 144 ), respectively. After stratification for age, number of pregnancies, and lifetime sexual partners, the tates of chlamydial PID (odds ratio = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.10 −0.89) and IgA detection (odds ratio = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.07 −0.73) were lower among previous or current oral contraceptive users than in women who had never used birth control methods. Analyses of linear trend indicated a negative association between increasing duration of exposure to hormonal contraception and anti-chlamydial IgG and IgA. This study confirms that among patients with chlamydial PID, the frequency of oral contraceptive use is lower than that in patients with PID of other etiology. Serologic studies suggest a possible relationship between hormonal contraception and changes in immune response or susceptibility to chlamydial infection.