Systematic Review of Risks and Benefits of Combined Oral Contraceptive

For most women, the health benefits of Combined Oral Contraceptives (COCs) outweigh the risks. Most women will benefit from additional non-contraceptive benefits such as improvement of acne vulgaris, dysmenorrhea, stabilization of menstrual bleeding pattern, less ovarian cysts and finally a lower risk for ovarian and breast cancer, which persists even after withdrawal of COC for several years. The impact of combined oral contraceptive pills on bone mass, cardiovascular, libido, metabolic influence of COCs like carbohydrate, lipid metabolism is probably dependent on the differences in the COC used, the type of progestin, the dose of estrogen, the duration of pill used, the age of the population studied. To avoid adverse effects by COC use the exclusion of patients with known risk factors including patient history and family history is necessary. Furthermore, the patient should be informed about possible side effects and side effects during OC use should be carefully monitored.