Oral contraceptives and breast cancer risk.

Because of the continuing controversy on the breast cancer risks associated with the use of combined oral contraceptives (OCs), the medical literature was reviewed to assess the risks of this cancer to OC users. This review found that the medical literature supports the view that OC use is associated with small increased risks of premenopausal breast cancer. There is no consensus as to which subgroups of women might be at an increased risk.

Effects of intrauterine devices on the surface ultrastructure of human endometrium before and after removal.

The effects of copper-releasing IUDs on the endometrial ultrastructure were evaluated in 101 women. Endometrial samples were obtained in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, both during and after IUD use, and were evaluated using both scanning and electron microscopy. The degree and extent of changes to the surface ultrastructure of the endometrium were found to be related to the copper surface area of the IUD.

Medical removals of the Multiload IUD.

In a follow-up evaluation of 3721 Multiload IUD users, the removal rate for medical reasons other than bleeding/pain was only 2.6 per 100 women at three years. Most of these removals were for reasons that appeared to be unrelated to IUD use.

Comparison of three multiload IUDs: MLCu250, MLCu375 and MLAgCu250.

A comparative study was made of three differently loaded Multiload intrauterine contraceptive devices. The IUDs were used by 450 women for 3 years unless the device was removed earlier. The reasons for IUD removal (pregnancy, bleeding and/or pain, and other) were recorded, and the data analyzed after 1 year and after 3 years using the log-rank method.