Hormonal Contraception - Related Resources

Cochrane reviews

Progestin-only contraceptives do not have a significant effect on weight Progestin-Only Contraceptives: Effects on Weight.
Desogestrel and levonorgestrel progestin-only pill may have similar efficacy for contraception Progestin-Only Pills for Contraception.
Combined oral contraceptives may not affect bone mineral density or biochemical markers of bone turnover, but data on fracture risk is missing Combined Oral Contraceptives and Bone Mineral Density.
Audiovisual aids or clear categories of risks seem to be more effective in communicating contraceptive effectiveness compared with oral presentations or numbers, although the evidence is limited Strategies for Communicating Contraceptive Effectiveness.
There is insufficient evidence of the effectiveness of immediate start of hormonal contraceptives compared to start during next menses Immediate Start of Hormonal Contraceptives for Contraception.
Oral contraceptives containing drospirenone seem to have some effect on severe premenstrual symptoms compared to placebo in short term, but the evidence is limited Oral Contraceptives Containing Drospirenone for Premenstrual Syndrome.
There is no clinically relevant difference in contraceptive effectiveness among the different progestogens used in combined oral contraceptives. Third- and second-generation progestogens are generally better accepted than first-generation preparations. Gestodene may cause less intermenstrual bleeding than levonorgestrel Progestogens in Combined Oral Contraceptives.
Oral contraceptives taken continuously for more than 28 days appear similar to traditional cyclic oral contraceptives as judged by bleeding, discontinuation rates, and reported satisfaction Continuous or Extended Cycle Use of Combined Oral Contraceptives.
Intensified counselling may improve adherence and continuation of hormonal contraception Interventions to Improve Contraception Use.
Biphasic and triphasic oral contraceptives seem to have comparable effects, but there is insufficient evidence from controlled trials Biphasic Versus Triphasic Oral Contraceptives for Contraception.
There is insufficient evidence from controlled trials on the effects of combined hormonal versus progestin-only contraception during lactation Combined Hormonal Versus Non-Hormonal Versus Progestin-Only Contraception in Lactation.
Combination injectable contraception results in fewer bleeding disruptions and lower discontinuation rates for bleeding reasons than progestin-only injectable contraception. Discontinuation for other reasons is more likely Combination Injectable Contraceptives for Contraception.
Combined oral contraceptives with 20 mcg estrogen appear to have similar efficacy as those with >20 mcg estrogen. Bleeding pattern disruption are more common with low-dose estrogen 20 Mcg Versus over 20 Mcg Estrogen Combined Oral Contraceptives for Contraception.
Triphasic OCs appear to have similar contraceptive effectiveness as monophasic OCs but the evidence is insufficient to determine any differences in bleeding patterns or discontinuation rates Triphasic Versus Monophasic Oral Contraceptives for Contraception.
Interventions promoting condom use for dual protection might not be effective for preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections Behavioral Interventions for Improving Condom Use for Dual Protection.

Other evidence summaries

Desogestrel and gestodene may have a small favourable effect on HDL and LDL .
An association between oral contraceptive use and venous thromboembolism (VTE) exists, but the reported risk is probably exaggerated. The users of non-third-generation OCs have a less than 3-fold increase in risk for VTE compared to nonusers: the risk for VTE is possibly higher in users of third-generation OCs. An association between hormone replacement therapy and VTE (a two-fold increase in risk) may also exist Risk of Venous Thromboembolism with the Use of Oral Contraceptives.
Risk of ischaemic strokes is increased in current contraceptive users. However, the absolute increase in stroke risk is expected to be very small since the incidence of stroke is very low in this population Ischaemic Stroke and Myocardial Infarction Risk with Combined Oral Contraceptives.
Risk of venous thromboembolism appears to be approximately twofold in users of third generation OC compared with users of second generation products Third Generation Oral Contraceptives and Risk of Venous Thromboembolism.

Other Internet resources

WHO: Family planning http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/family_planning/en/index.html
WHO: Sexual and reproductive health http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/publications/fp_globalhandbook/handbook.pdf

Literature

Parkin L, Skegg DC, Wilson M, Herbison GP, Paul C. Oral contraceptives and fatal pulmonary embolism. Lancet 2000 Jun 17;355(9221):2133-4. [PubMed]
Farley TM, Meirik O, Chang CL, Poulter NR. Combined oral contraceptives, smoking, and cardiovascular risk. J Epidemiol Community Health 1998 Dec;52(12):775-85. [PubMed]

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Hormonal Contraception - Related Resources

Cochrane reviews

Other evidence summaries

Other Internet resources

Literature