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Glossary Oral Contraceptives

medications taken orally to prevent pregnancy

Oral contraceptives, commonly known as "the pill," are medications taken by mouth to prevent pregnancy. They typically contain synthetic forms of the hormones estrogen and progestin, which work by inhibiting ovulation, thickening cervical mucus to block sperm, and altering the uterine lining to prevent implantation.

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research Venous and pulmonary thromboembolism and combined hormonal contraceptives. Systematic review and meta-analysis

63 citations , January 2012 in “The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care”

This study concluded that combined hormonal contraceptives containing desogestrel, drospirenone, or cyproterone acetate were associated with a higher risk of venous thromboembolism compared to those containing levonorgestrel.

research Combined hormonal contraception and venous thromboembolism

46 citations , January 2007 in “The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care”

This review discusses the increased risk of venous thromboembolism associated with combined hormonal contraceptives, particularly noting higher risks with certain progestins like desogestrel, gestodene, and cyproterone acetate, but reports no new clinical findings.

research Efficacy of an oral contraceptive containing EE 0.03 mg and CMA 2 mg (Belara®) in moderate acne resolution: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III trial

42 citations , May 2009 in “Contraception”

This study found that the combined oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol and chlormadinone acetate was effective in reducing moderate papulopustular acne and other androgen-related skin disorders compared to placebo.

research Contraceptive implant use among inner city teens

24 citations , May 1995 in “Journal of Adolescent Health”

This study of Black and Hispanic inner-city teens found that Norplant retention rates were 71% at one year and 62% at two years, with a history of induced abortion predicting higher continuation.

research Contraception and the dermatologist

22 citations , January 2013 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This review discusses the role of contraceptives in dermatology, particularly for acne treatment and managing patients on teratogens, but reports no new clinical results.

research Contraceptive use in acne

21 citations , July 2014 in “Clinics in Dermatology”

This review examines the role of hormones in acne pathogenesis, the use of hormonal therapies for treatment, and the importance of contraceptive counseling during isotretinoin therapy, but reports no new clinical results.

research Regression of Pathologic Changes Induced by the Long-term Administration of Contraceptive Steroids to Rodents

20 citations , June 1985 in “Toxicologic Pathology”

In this study, prolonged high-dose steroid treatment in rats caused several pathological changes, some of which regressed, particularly improvements in mammary gland tumors and pituitary-related symptoms, after stopping treatment.

research Contraception Care for Transmasculine Individuals on Testosterone Therapy

19 citations , April 2019 in “Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health”

This article reviews contraceptive options for individuals on testosterone gender-affirming hormone therapy, highlighting unique risks and benefits for this population, but it reports no new clinical findings.

research Antiandrogenic progestins for treatment of signs of androgenisation and hormonal contraception

17 citations , January 2004 in “European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology/European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology”

This review discusses the use of ethinylestradiol combined with antiandrogenic progestin for treating androgenisation symptoms and improving metabolic and menstrual health in women, but it does not provide new clinical data.

research Contraceptive Implants

14 citations , April 2005 in “African Journal of Reproductive Health”

This article reviews non-biodegradable progestational subdermal implants as long-acting contraceptives for women, discussing their effectiveness, associated side effects, and implementation challenges without reporting new clinical results.

research Effects of a phasic oral contraceptive containing desogestrel on facial seborrhea and acne

11 citations , October 2003 in “Contraception”

research Contraception for Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Dealing with a Complex Condition

8 citations , April 2022 in “Revista Brasileira Ginecologia e Obstetrícia”

This review explores contraceptive options for women with polycystic ovary syndrome, emphasizing the need for tailored choices based on individual clinical, hormonal, and metabolic profiles, but reports no new clinical findings.

research CONTRACEPTION AND THE SKIN

2 citations , August 1987 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology”

This review discusses skin diseases related to contraceptive use, reporting potential issues with oral contraceptives and infrequent reactions to mechanical or barrier methods without new clinical findings.

Awareness of Sudanese Married Women About the Use of Hormonal Contraceptives

research Awareness of Sudanese Married Women among the Use of Hormonal Contraceptive

1 citations , January 2020 in “Journal of quality in health care & economics”

This study found that while Sudanese women had good awareness of hormonal contraceptives, they lacked knowledge about emergency contraceptives and non-family planning benefits, with side effects like hair loss influencing their attitudes.

Utilization of Contraception Methods and Side Effects Among Women Attending the Maternal and Child Healthcare Centers in Mukalla City, Hadhramout, Yemen

research Utilization of Contraception Methods and Side Effects among Women Attending the Maternal and Child Healthcare Centers in Mukalla City, Hadhramout, Yemen

November 2025 in “Yemeni Journal For Medical Sciences”

This study assessed contraceptive use among women in Mukalla city, Yemen, reporting that 78.7% experienced side effects such as hair loss and abnormal bleeding, with oral contraceptive pills being the most common method.

research Contraceptive implants considered 'safe'

March 2002 in “Reactions Weekly”

Some birth control pills increase blood clot risk; use them for specific conditions only.

research [Contraceptive methods for adolescents].

October 1985 in “PubMed”

This review discusses contraceptive options for adolescent girls, highlighting potential recommendations and contraindications, and reports no new clinical findings.

research [Female contraception: hormonal methods].

December 1982 in “PubMed”

This review discusses the use of different types of oral contraceptive pills and highlights their effectiveness, potential side effects, and contraindications without presenting new clinical data.

research [Hair-growth disorders in relation to pregnancy and hormonal contraception].

April 1973 in “PubMed”

This article reviews pathologic mechanisms causing hair changes in women on hormonal contraceptives or pregnant and reports no new study results; hormonal effects on the hair cycle stages are suggested.

research Hair cortisol/cortisone in combined oral contraceptive users: An exploratory analysis

November 2025 in “Contraception”

This study suggests that using combined oral contraceptives does not increase hair glucocorticoid levels, but hair treatments should be considered as a confounder in stress biomarker assessments.

Hormonal Contraception And Breast Cancer: A Matter Of Context

research Contraception hormonale et cancer du sein : Une question de contexte

March 2007 in “Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada”

This review discusses the diagnosis and treatment of hyperandrogenism in women, emphasizing that cyproterone acetate is effective for severe hirsutism, though it reports no new clinical findings.

research Contraception for the 21st Century

March 2001 in “Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology”

This paper is a quiz on contraceptive knowledge and reports no new research findings.

research Contraceptives and hair growth an experiment using pregnant laboratory animals as models

January 1972

This study suggests that estrogen in contraceptive therapy may affect hair growth, potentially correcting hair loss under certain hormonal conditions; however, applying these findings to humans should be done cautiously.

research Hormonal contraceptives: pharmacology tailored to women's health

88 citations , June 2016 in “Human Reproduction Update”

This review discusses developments in oral contraceptives, highlighting improved individualization, reduced side effects, and enhanced suitability for various women's health needs, but it reports no new clinical results.

research Non-Contraceptive Benefits of Oral Hormonal Contraceptives

83 citations , December 2012 in “International journal of endocrinology and metabolism/International journal of endocrinology and metabolism.”

This article reviews the diverse clinical applications of oral contraceptives beyond birth control, suggesting their effectiveness in treating various female health disorders and conditions.

research Leuprolide and estrogen versus oral contraceptive pills for the treatment of hirsutism: a prospective randomized study.

74 citations , December 1995 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism”

This study found that treatment with leuprolide plus cyclic estrogen/progestin may lead to a faster and greater improvement in hirsutism compared to a standard oral contraceptive regimen.

research Comparison of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and a low dose oral contraceptive given alone or together in the treatment of hirsutism.

62 citations , December 1995 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism”

This study found that combining a GnRH agonist with a low-dose oral contraceptive was more effective in treating hirsutism than either agent alone and prevented hypoestrogenic side effects.