contraceptives--postcoital and Abnormalities--Drug-Induced

A short review of the endocrinological basis of reproduction in the female is followed by a critical survey of the oral contraceptive methods in current use. The composition of the preparations, their use, their biological and use-effectiveness and mode of action are discussed.The importance is emphasized of complying with the basic principles of drug testing in the evaluation of effects of oral contraceptiveson health. Other effects than merely the contraceptive actions of these preparations are described in detail, including not only the undesirable, frequently neglected, yet very important beneficial effects on the drug-users, their children and families.. Of the oral contraceptives in current use, the most practical and effective are: 1) the combination pill (estrogen and progesterone in various combinations), with a contraceptive effect of almost 100%; 2) 2-phase treatment (estrogen and progesterone administered sequentially), which produces less negative side effects, but is slightly less reliable as an ovulation inhibitor; and 3) the minipill (containing only progesterone), which eliminates any estrogen-induced side effects, but is slightly more complicated as a medication. Continuous treatment with large combination dosages may be tried when complete elimination of menstruation is desirable. The monthly and weekly pills are still being tested. High dosages before or after coitus may be used in certain situations. Clinically undesirable side effects of oral contraceptives include urinary tract infections, fluor vaginalis, moniliasis, hypertension, water retention, lactation changes, and, less frequently, liver and skin disorders and modifications of the carbohydrate metabolism system. These can often be lessened or eliminated by changing to the minipill or to another preparation. A table indicates signs of excessive estrogen or progesterone influence. Extremely serious (sometimes life-threatening) side effects include persistent anovulation, thromboembolic disorders, liver tumors, and severe hypertension. Often the beneficial side effects of oral contraceptives are not mentioned, e.g., improvement or elimination of menstrual disorders, anemia, and acne, and prevention of benign breast and uterine tumors and ovarian cysts. The psychological benefits must also be taken into account. Fear of pregnancy is eliminated and birth control spacing results in improved health for mothers and children.

Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Contraceptives, Oral; Contraceptives, Postcoital; Family Planning Services; Female; Humans; Hypertension; Intracranial Pressure; Liver Neoplasms; Population Growth; Pregnancy; Thromboembolism

Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Breast Neoplasms; Contraception; Contraceptive Devices; Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; Contraceptives, Postcoital; Estradiol Congeners; Female; Humans; Intrauterine Devices; Lactation; Male; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Ectopic; Progesterone; Progesterone Congeners; Prospective Studies; Spermatocidal Agents; Thromboembolism; Time Factors; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Carcinogens; Clinical Trials as Topic; Contraceptives, Postcoital; Contraceptives, Postcoital, Hormonal; Diethylstilbestrol; Embryo Implantation; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Teratogens; Uterus

Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Breast Neoplasms; China; Contraceptives, Oral; Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; Contraceptives, Postcoital; Delayed-Action Preparations; Female; Genital Neoplasms, Female; Humans; Megestrol; Norethindrone; Research

In mice post-coital estrogens caused retardation of tubal egg cleavage, whereas post-coital progestins stimulated egg division. In rats the situation was reversed. In this species estrogens accelerated the tubal embryo development and vice versa; the progestin STS 557 arrested division of embryos resting in the tube. Normal implantation occured following transfer of early blastocysts from estrogen-treated mice to untreated mice, but not following transfer of blastocysts from untreated animals to estrogen-treated animals. This shows that post-coital estrogens do not affect the embryos directly but they disturb the physiological integrity of the endometrium required for proper implantation.

Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Animals; Blastocyst; Contraceptives, Postcoital; Contraceptives, Postcoital, Hormonal; Embryo, Mammalian; Fallopian Tubes; Female; Mice; Pregnancy; Rats

Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Contraceptives, Postcoital; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Risk

Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Contraceptives, Oral; Contraceptives, Postcoital; Female; Humans; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Tests