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Contraception Jan 1999Introduction of the birth control pill in the United States in 1960 marked the end of a relatively short period of time (< 10 years) to intentionally produce an oral...
Introduction of the birth control pill in the United States in 1960 marked the end of a relatively short period of time (< 10 years) to intentionally produce an oral contraceptive, and the beginning of a relatively long period of controversy surrounding the use of the pill. Availability of the pill had an impact on various aspects of social life, including women's health, fertility trends, laws and policies, religion, interpersonal relationships and family roles, feminist issues, and gender relations, as well as sexual practices among both adults and adolescents. The pill proved to be highly effective from the outset. Although safety issues developed with the earlier formulations, continued evolution of pill hormones and doses has resulted in a greatly improved and safe oral contraceptive. A broad range of noncontraceptive health benefits also is associated with the pill. These health effects are significant, as they include protection against potentially fatal diseases, including ovarian and endometrial cancers, as well as against other conditions that are associated with substantial morbidity and potential hospitalization and associated costs. The popularity of the pill has remained high, with rates of use in the past 30 years in the United States ranging from one-quarter to almost one-third of women using contraception. Almost 40 years after its introduction, the pill's contraceptive efficacy is proven, its improved safety has been established, and the focus has shifted from supposed health risks to documented and real health benefits.
Topics: Contraception; Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; Female; History, 20th Century; Humans; Male; Religion and Sex; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration
PubMed: 10342090
DOI: 10.1016/s0010-7824(98)00131-0 -
Best Practice & Research. Clinical... Aug 2014The introduction of the birth control pill as an effective, coitally-independent method of contraception was a public health milestone of the last century. Over time,...
The introduction of the birth control pill as an effective, coitally-independent method of contraception was a public health milestone of the last century. Over time, combined oral contraception (COC) formulations and pill-taking regimens have evolved with improved safety and tolerability while maintaining contraceptive efficacy. In addition to protection against pregnancy, use of combined oral contraception confers a number of significant non-contraceptive benefits to users. COC use is also associated with well-studied risks. Common side effects are generally self-limiting and improve with increasing duration of use while serious adverse events, including venous thromboembolism, are rare among healthy COC users. Contraceptive decision-making should include consideration of both the risks and benefits of a given method versus the real consequences of unintended pregnancy.
Topics: Bone Density; Colorectal Neoplasms; Contraception; Contraceptives, Oral; Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; Dysmenorrhea; Endometrial Neoplasms; Evidence-Based Medicine; Female; Gynecology; Humans; Menstrual Cycle; Ovarian Neoplasms; Pregnancy; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Venous Thromboembolism
PubMed: 25028259
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2014.06.003 -
European Journal of Cancer Prevention :... Aug 2000The relation between oral contraceptives (OC) and cancer risk has been investigated extensively, mainly with reference to breast, female genital tract, liver cancer and... (Review)
Review
The relation between oral contraceptives (OC) and cancer risk has been investigated extensively, mainly with reference to breast, female genital tract, liver cancer and cutaneous malignant melanoma, and will be summarized below. There is also some suggestion that OC use is related to other neoplasms, including a reduced risk of colorectal cancer among OC users, but the issue is still controversial and too preliminary to provide indications for informed contraception choice.
Topics: Adult; Contraceptives, Oral; Female; Humans; Neoplasms; Risk
PubMed: 10958324
DOI: 10.1097/00008469-200008000-00001 -
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica... Feb 1996
Review
Topics: Contraceptives, Oral; England; Europe; Female; Humans; Risk Factors; Scandinavian and Nordic Countries; Selection Bias; Thromboembolism
PubMed: 8604617
DOI: 10.3109/00016349609033297 -
Australian Family Physician Dec 1986
Topics: Contraceptives, Oral; Female; Humans; Patient Education as Topic
PubMed: 3800776
DOI: No ID Found -
Tidsskrift For Den Norske Laegeforening... Oct 2017
Topics: Contraceptives, Oral; Female; History, 20th Century; Humans; Norway; Pregnancy
PubMed: 29094558
DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.17.0665 -
Contraception, Fertilite, Sexualite 1977
Topics: Age Factors; Biology; Cardiovascular System; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Contraception; Contraceptive Agents; Contraceptive Agents, Female; Contraceptives, Oral; Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; Demography; Ethinyl Estradiol; Family Planning Services; Liver; Mestranol; Physiology; Population; Population Characteristics
PubMed: 12260081
DOI: No ID Found -
British Medical Journal (Clinical... Feb 1988
Topics: Contraceptives, Oral; Female; Humans; Postoperative Complications; Preoperative Care; Risk Factors; Thrombophlebitis
PubMed: 3126855
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.296.6620.447 -
NAACOG's Clinical Issues in Perinatal... 1992The evolution of oral contraceptives is summarized in this chapter. The social context into which the birth control pill was introduced, early and recent formulations of... (Review)
Review
The evolution of oral contraceptives is summarized in this chapter. The social context into which the birth control pill was introduced, early and recent formulations of the pill, side effects, and the identification of serious complications of taking the pill are presented. The role of the nurse as a health educator of women and the responsibility of nurses to assist patients to make informed decisions about their reproductive function are emphasized. The outlook for future research and development of alternative forms of contraception is discussed.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Adult; Contraceptives, Oral; Contraindications; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Unwanted; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 1596433
DOI: No ID Found -
Contraception Oct 2016The introduction of the birth control pill (the Pill) in 1960 revolutionized the options for contraception, sparking vibrant discussion in the scientific and social... (Review)
Review
The introduction of the birth control pill (the Pill) in 1960 revolutionized the options for contraception, sparking vibrant discussion in the scientific and social science literature and in the media. Much attention focused on issues of women's rights, including ethics and personal choice. But the Pill also introduced new questions about risk. Shortly after its introduction, the risk of thromboembolic disease was recognized [1]. After more than half a century, controversies about the relationship between the Pill and thromboembolic disease have persisted. The scientific and media communities have been active in the discussion, debate and delivery of information about this risk. Scientific and public attention to thromboembolism and the Pill has had dramatic consequences, both good and bad. The spotlight on risk has helped to change norms regarding the public's right to know and assess dangers; it has sparked Pill scares linked to increased unplanned pregnancy, birth and abortion rates; and it has led to a change in federally mandated policies regarding how new contraceptive products are studied and brought to market. This paper charts the narrative of the thromboembolic risk of the Pill from its introduction in 1960 until today and reviews the corresponding media response to this history. How does the story of the thromboembolic risk of the Pill - explored through the lens of science, media and contemporary social dynamics - frame contemporary understanding of risk for researchers, clinicians, individuals and the public?
Topics: Biomedical Research; Contraception; Contraceptives, Oral; Female; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Mass Media; Risk Assessment; Thromboembolism; Women's Health; Women's Rights
PubMed: 27343747
DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2016.06.009