Purpose: The issue of continued oral contraceptive use among women with abnormal Pap smears may be controversial due to reported evidence of an increased risk of cervical cancer among long term oral contraceptive users. This article reviews the evidence concerning oral contraception and cervical cancer risk. The role of Human Papilloma virus (HPV) and proposed mechanisms for the development of cervical cancer are explained. Evidence from World Health Organization (WHO) studies and additional research evidence are discussed. Implications for clinical practice are included.
Data Sources: WHO commissioned studies, additional relevant studies searchable from an EBSCO database, and texts that describe the natural history of HPV.
Conclusions: Epidemiological studies and biomedical research suggest a role for steroid hormones, such as oral contraceptives, in facilitating the action of HPV. However, a majority of HPV infections resolve spontaneously, despite widespread use of oral contraception. Oral contraception does not appear to increase incident HPV infection or persistence of HPV infection. The benefits of oral contraceptives appear to outweigh the risks associated with HPV facilitation.
Implications For Practice: NPs inform patients of abnormal Pap smears, manage the clinical care of women at risk of cervical cancer, and provide educational counseling regarding contraceptive choices. Ethical considerations include clear disclosure of potential risk. However, a risk-benefit analysis supports continued use of oral contraception among women who have abnormal Pap smears but also have access to clinical surveillance.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-7599.2004.tb00424.x | DOI Listing |
J Minim Invasive Gynecol
January 2025
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:
Study Subject: To investigate the impact of preoperative hormonal medication, including combined oral contraceptives (COCs) or dienogest, on operative findings in ovarian endometrioma surgery.
Design: A single-center, retrospective study.
Setting: Department of Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Republic of Korea.
Clin Med Insights Oncol
January 2025
Department of Surgery, Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation, North Point, Hong Kong.
Background: In Hong Kong, breast cancer is the commonest female cancer. In addition to intrinsic risk factors that cannot be modified, other factors may be potentially modifiable. The objective of this report was to determine modifiable risk factors in association with breast cancer among Chinese women in our locality.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPak J Med Sci
January 2025
Noman Sadiq, MBBS, M.Phil, Associate professor, Department of Physiology, Makran Medical College, Turbat, Pakistan.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of family planning practice among the parents of children affected with beta thalassemia major (BTM) and to determine the relationship between various factors and family planning practice in Makran division Balochistan.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 190 parents having BTM children registered in thalassemia care centers throughout the Makran division from May 2023 to October 2023. The structured questionnaire was used and data was collected using the non-probability convenience technique.
Oral contraceptives (OCs) are approved for use after onset of menarche, which is well before brain maturation is complete. OC use may induce biochemical changes in the brain, especially during the neurobiologically dynamic adolescent/young adult years. MicroRNA cargo in L1CAM-associated extracellular vesicles was measured from serum samples collected from young women using the miRCURY LNA miRNA Focus PCR Panel (Qiagen) and validated using quantitative PCR.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer, with adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in sub-Saharan Africa carrying a disproportionately high burden of infection. Hormonal contraceptives may influence HPV acquisition, persistence, and clearance, but evidence remains inconclusive. This sub-study aimed to evaluate the impact of different hormonal contraceptives on HPV prevalence and genotype distribution in AGYW.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!