Oral contraceptives: Benefits and risks

Abstract

Oral contraceptives remain one of the most commonly used hormonal contraceptives worldwide. Oral contraceptives contain either a combination of synthetic estrogen and progestogen or progestogen only. Combined oral contraceptives often receive negative press because of their impact on cardiovascular health. Yet, when prescribed appropriately offer an effective method which generally offer a favourable benefit to risk profile for most women. There are few medical conditions that would pose an unacceptable health risk to use of the progestogen-only pill.