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Significant Risks of Oral Contraceptives (OCPs): Why This Drug Class Should Not Be Included in a Preventive Care
Rebecca Peck1, Charles W Norris2
1Certified clinical densitometer, and Marquette Method NFP teacher.
The Linacre Quarterly
|August 8, 2018
Summary
Oral contraceptives (OCPs) are promoted as preventive care, but evidence suggests they increase health risks. This review highlights OCPs' association with cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and HPV, challenging their role in preventive medicine.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Preventive Medicine
- Women's Health
Background:
- Pregnancy and fertility are normal physiological processes, not diseases.
- Contraception is sometimes framed as a
- cure
- for these natural states.
- Organizations advocate for including oral contraceptive counseling and medications under preventive care mandates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the substantial health risks associated with oral contraceptives (OCPs).
- To challenge the classification of OCPs as beneficial preventive medicine.
- To concentrate on studies demonstrating increased harm from OCP use.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on studies detailing the risks of OCPs.
- Concentration on research linking OCPs to cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and HPV/cervical cancer.
- Analysis of OCPs' efficacy as preventive medicine based on risk profiles.
Main Results:
- OCPs are associated with increased rates of cardiovascular disease.
- Studies indicate a link between OCP use and elevated breast cancer risk.
- Evidence suggests OCPs may increase the risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) or cervical cancer.
Conclusions:
- OCPs increase disease risk, failing a key test of preventive medicine.
- Patients may be misled about the benefits and risks of OCPs.
- Physicians should provide comprehensive counseling on OCP risks versus benefits.
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