Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Correcting misconceptions about oral contraceptives.

D R Mishell1

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|November 1, 1989
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Circulating androgen levels before and after oophorectomy in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society·2019
Same author

Endometrial effect of progesterone delivered by vaginal rings in estrogen-treated postmenopausal women.

Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society·2010
Same author

Contraceptive vaginal rings.

Seminars in reproductive medicine·2001
Same author

Levonorgestrel concentrations during 7 years of continuous use of Jadelle contraceptive implants.

Contraception·2001
Same author

Serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin levels and endometrial thickness after medical abortion.

Contraception·2001
Same author

Ovarian function during use of vaginal rings delivering three different doses of Nestorone.

Contraception·2001
Same journal

Likelihood ratios enhance clinical interpretation of metagenomic prediction of early-onset neonatal sepsis in preterm premature rupture of membranes (Letter-to-the-Editor).

American journal of obstetrics and gynecology·2026
Same journal

Taking risk stratification in preterm premature rupture of membranes to the bedside (Reply to Letter-to-the-Editor).

American journal of obstetrics and gynecology·2026
Same journal

Gestational Age at Full-Term Delivery and Long-Term Offspring Morbidity in Low-Risk Pregnancies: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

American journal of obstetrics and gynecology·2026
Same journal

Trajectories of childbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms after a vaginal delivery: a multicenter prospective study.

American journal of obstetrics and gynecology·2026
Same journal

Early life adversity and polycystic ovary syndrome among North American pregnancy planners.

American journal of obstetrics and gynecology·2026
Same journal

Survival assessment of adjuvant chemotherapy for cytology-negative, non-myoinvasive stage IC clear cell endometrial cancer.

American journal of obstetrics and gynecology·2026
See all related articles

Oral contraceptives do not increase cancer risk and offer protection against endometrial and ovarian cancers. Modern low-dose formulations are safe and effective for most women, with no proven increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Health
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Many women hold misconceptions about oral contraceptive risks, believing they cause cancer or heart disease.
  • Scientific literature largely refutes these widespread concerns regarding serious health issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the scientific evidence regarding the safety of oral contraceptives, specifically their link to cancer and cardiovascular disease.
  • To clarify the risks and benefits of modern, low-dose oral contraceptive formulations.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature, including studies from the 1970s and recent data.
  • Analysis of data on cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke) and cancer incidence in oral contraceptive users.
  • Examination of animal data regarding atherosclerosis and oral contraceptives.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Oral contraceptives demonstrate protective effects against endometrial and ovarian cancers.
  • Cardiovascular risks in older studies were associated with high-estrogen formulations; modern low-dose versions show no increased risk of myocardial infarction or stroke.
  • No increased risk of myocardial infarction is observed in former oral contraceptive users.
  • Animal studies suggest a potential protective effect against atherosclerosis.

Conclusions:

  • Oral contraceptives are safe and effective for most healthy women of reproductive age.
  • Low-dose triphasic and monophasic formulations do not increase cardiovascular disease risk.
  • Concerns about oral contraceptives causing cancer are unfounded; they offer protection against certain gynecological cancers.