Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning PubHealthInfo

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PubHealth.info® (a subsidiary of PakMed) presents scientific information mainly based on abstracts of articles published on a variety of public health issues/topics, particularly encompassing population planning, disease prevention, maternal and child health, and communicable and non-communicable diseases (like HIV AIDS, malaria, etc) that are affecting a significant portion of population in developing and developed countries. Here you can find abstracts of articles published on a variety of public health topics under category "Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning". Contraception (birth control) is a regimen of one or more actions, devices, or medications followed in order to deliberately prevent or reduce the likelihood of a woman becoming pregnant or giving birth. Therefore contraception is the utilization of various and sundry surgical procedures, devices, practices, agents, or drugs with the intention of preventing conception or impregnation (pregnancy). Methods and intentions typically termed birth control may be considered a pivotal ingredient to family planning. Birth control is a controversial political and ethical issue in many cultures and religions, and although it is generally less controversial than abortion specifically.

YEAR: 1983

CATEGORY: Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning

TITLE

Oral contraceptives.

AUTHORS

Ratnam SS; Prasad RN

SOURCE

In: Chaudhuri SK. Practice of fertility control: a comprehensive textbook.

Calcutta, India, Current Book Publishers, 1983. :79-107.

ABSTRACT

Oral contraceptives (OCs) are currently the most popular method, with about 80 million users worldwide, less than 1/2

from developing countries. Research into hormonal contraception began in the late 19th century and led to

production in the 1950s of the OC. Some types of OCs are: 1) sequential, consisting of all-estrogen pills with the

last 7 or 8 in a cycle containing progesterone also; 2) combined, containing both estrogens and progesterone; 3) low-

dose progesterone, suitable for lactating mothers; 4) long-acting once-a-month; and 5) postcoital hormonal.

Combined OCs are highly effective because they inhibit ovulation and cause changes in the endometrium and

cervical mucus. Some beneficial side effects of OCs are: 1) relief of dysmenorrhea, 2) relief of premenstrual

tension, 3) reduction in menstrual blood loss, 4) relief of acne and hirsutism, 5) heightened libido and well-being,

and 6) relief from breast disease and other conditions. Some minor side effects include weight gain, breast pain,

headaches, alopecia, corneal edema, and vaginal discharge. The major side effects of OCs are: 1) effects on the

pituitary hypothalamic ovarian axis causing postpill amenorrhea; 2) cardiovascular effects such as hypertension, and

thromboembolic disease, making them not acceptable for women who are obese or who have family or personal

history of stroke; 3) cancer, which has not been proven conclusively, but which indicates the need for routine cervical

smears; 4) metabolic changes such as hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperpyruvatemia, and hypertriglyceridemia

affecting carbohydrate and fat metabolism, plasma proteins, and vitamin levels; 5) liver damage; 6) teratogenesis; 7)

lactational effects; 8) failure; and 9) endemic disease. Some modern trends in oral contraception are: 1) low

estrogen dose OCs, 2) combined OCs with natural estrogens, 3) combined OCs with altered gestagen component, 4)

triphasic preparations, 5) paper OCs, 6) slow-release formulations, and 7) nonsteroidal OCs. (PubHealth.info

Document ID: CONT5T 2077-06)

PubHealth.info NOTE: The author(s) of this article titled, "Oral contraceptives.", is(are) Ratnam SS; Prasad RN. The

source of this article is "In: Chaudhuri SK. Practice of fertility control: a comprehensive textbook. Calcutta, India,

Current Book Publishers, 1983. :79-107.". This article was published in 1983 in English language(s).

(PubHealth.info® Document ID: CONT5T 2077-06. All rights reserved with PubHealth.info) PIN: 22077

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