Review, 2015
Do hormonal contraceptives have benefits beyond preventing pregnancy?
Yes. Combined oral contraceptives can reduce heavy periods, anemia, and PMDD symptoms. Several other contraceptive methods also offer additional health benefits.
What they did
Searched medical databases from 1980 to July 2014 for published research on non-contraceptive benefits of hormonal and intrauterine contraceptive methods.
What they found
Combined oral contraceptives help control heavy menstrual bleeding and anemia, reduce the risk of endometrial, ovarian and colorectal cancer, and reduce PMDD symptoms. Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems control heavy bleeding, anemia, and endometrial cancer risk and reduce pain from endometriosis and adenomyosis. Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate helps manage pain from sickle cell disease and endometriosis. Etonogestrel implants reduce endometriosis pain. Copper intrauterine devices reduce endometrial and cervical cancer risk.
What it means for you
Many forms of birth control provide medical benefits beyond pregnancy prevention, including for PMDD and heavy periods. However, many doctors and patients focus mainly on side effects and safety rather than these potential benefits.
1980-2014
Years of research reviewed
5
Databases searched for evidence
About the study
- Original title
- Non-contraceptive benefits of hormonal and intrauterine reversible contraceptive methods
- Authors
- Bahamondes L, Valeria Bahamondes M, Shulman LP
- Journal
- Human reproduction update
- Year
- 2015
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- Various hormonal and intrauterine contraceptive methods
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmv023
Topics
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