Oral hormonal contraception: benefits, side effects and prevention of complications

Abstract:

Unplanned pregnancy is still a serious public health problem, and the need for birth control methods increases every year. The use of oral hormonal contraceptives is several-fold higher than the use of all other birth control methods together; simple administration, 40-years of clinical experience and numerous beneficial effects on the overall health of female population make the oral hormonal contraceptives the birth control method of choice across the world. However, the use of hormonal contraception is not completely risk-free. Some of the side effects, if not timely recognized, may have fatal consequences for women’s health. To avoid the risks associated with the use of oral hormonal contraceptives, physicians should have knowledge about the side effects, and the strategy of adverse effect prevention should be adopted.

Key words:
adverse effects; contraceptives, oral, hormonal; progestins; risk assessment