[Additional non-contraceptive effects of contraception: CNGOF Contraception Guidelines]

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Gynecology
• Oncology

Background:

• Hormonal contraceptives and intrauterine devices (IUDs) are widely used for pregnancy prevention.
• Beyond contraception, these methods offer documented non-contraceptive health benefits.
• The extent of these benefits varies between combined hormonal contraceptives and progestin-only methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize the non-contraceptive effects of hormonal and intrauterine contraceptive methods.
• To highlight the documented benefits for various gynecological and oncological conditions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on hormonal contraceptives (oral, transdermal, vaginal) and IUDs (levonorgestrel, copper).
• Synthesis of evidence regarding non-contraceptive outcomes such as menstrual symptoms, benign gynecological diseases, and cancer risk reduction.

Main Results:

• Combined hormonal contraceptives reduce menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, ovarian cysts, benign breast/uterine disease, and endometriosis pain.
• Contraceptive use is linked to reduced risks of ovarian, endometrial, and colon cancers, with prolonged effects post-discontinuation.
• Levonorgestrel IUDs decrease menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, and endometriosis symptoms; copper IUDs reduce cervix and endometrial cancer risk.

Conclusions:

• Hormonal contraceptives and IUDs provide substantial non-contraceptive health benefits, including significant cancer risk reduction.
• These benefits extend beyond pregnancy prevention, impacting women's overall gynecological and oncological health.
• Further research may elucidate less-documented benefits of progestin-only contraceptives.