Serious ill effects have not been reported following acute ingestion of large doses of oral contraceptives by young children. Overdosage may cause nausea, and withdrawal bleeding may occur in females.

Non-Contraceptive Health Benefits

The following non-contraceptive health benefits related to the use of oral contraceptives are supported by epidemiological studies which largely utilized oral contraceptive formulations containing estrogen doses exceeding 0.035 mg of ethinyl estradiol or 0.05 mg of mestranol.^6–11

Effects on menses:

• Increased menstrual cycle regularity
• Decreased blood loss and decreased incidence of iron deficiency anemia
• Decreased incidence of dysmenorrheal

Effects related to inhibition of ovulation:

• Decreased incidence of functional ovarian cysts
• Decreased incidence of ectopic pregnancies

Effects from long-term use:

• Decreased incidence of fibroadenomas and fibrocystic disease of the breast
• Decreased incidence of acute pelvic inflammatory disease
• Decreased incidence of endometrial cancer
• Decreased incidence of ovarian cancer

Oral contraceptives should not be used in women who have the following conditions:

• Thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders
• A past history of deep vein thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders
• Cerebral vascular or coronary artery disease
• Known or suspected carcinoma of the breast
• Carcinoma of the endometrium or other known or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia
• Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding
• Cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy or jaundice with prior pill use
• Hepatic adenomas, carcinomas or benign liver tumors
• Known or suspected pregnancy

REFERENCES

6. The Cancer and Steroid Hormone Study of the Centers for Disease Control: JAMA 249(2): 1596-1599, 1983.

7. The Cancer and Steroid Hormone Study of the Centers for Disease Control: JAMA 257(6): 796-800, 1987.

8. Ory, H.W.: JAMA 228(1): 68-69, 1974.

9. Ory, H.W., et al.: N Engl JMed 294: 419-422, 1976.

10. Ory, H.W.: Fam Plann Perspect 14: 182-184, 1982.

11. Ory, H.W., et al.: Making Choices, New York, The Alan Guttmacher Institute, 1983.

Last reviewed on RxList: 12/23/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.