Potential Noncontraceptive Benefits of Combined OCs
Reproductive System
Sexual intercourse
Increased libido
Increased ability to have orgasms
Breasts
Decreased risk for fibroadenomas
Decreased risk for cystic breast disease
Decreased breast tenderness
Breast enlargement
Ovaries
Decreased risk for ovarian cancer
Decreased ovarian cysts
Treatment of ovarian cysts
Treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome
Treatment of persistent anovulation
Fallopian Tubes
Decreased risk for ectopic pregnancy
Decreased risk for pelvic inflammatory disease
Treatment of endometriosis
Uterus: Endometrium or Myometrium
Decreased growth of leiomyomata
Decreased risk for endometrial cancer
Decreased dysmenorrhea
More regular menses
Decreased blood loss
Improvement in anemia
Ability to manipulate the cycle
Central Nervous System
Improvement in depression
Improvement in symptoms of premenstrual syndrome
Less nausea
Musculoskeletal System
Less bone loss (osteoporosis)
Skin
Improvement in acne and pilonidal cysts
Treatment of hirsutism
Prevention of androgen-induced alopecia
While it is true that combined pills may have the benefits listed in this table, some of these symptoms may improve or become worse. Acne is one such problem. This is also true for depression, nausea, breast tenderness, and a number of the conditions listed above.
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