[Favorable effects of oral steroidal contraceptives]

In addition to preventing pregnancy which in the wider sense of the word implies prevention of all complications of gestation, incl. extrauterine pregnancy, the use of steroid contraceptives has a favourable effect on some other diseases which are not directly associated with gestation. The authors give an account of all diseases where the use of steroid contraceptives may act as a preventive factor as regards the incidence of these disease and/or their intensity. This action is frequently omitted in the professional and lay press. The authors also draw attention to the advantages of modern steroid contraceptives with a minimal dose of oestrogens and on gestagens of the third generation.