Oral contraceptives - Risks

The modern combination oral contraceptive (OC) has become a mainstay in the effort to provide safe, reliable, and effective contraception. Safety conc erns with OC use have largely been laid to rest as a result of multiple and extensive studies. Even so, misperceptions about the risks of OC use and a relative lack of recognition concerning the numerous and important noncont raceptive benefits limit their use, thus putting women in needless danger f or unintended pregnancy Indeed, even fears concerning breast cancer risk an d OC use have been unsubstantiated by an abundance of data. Clinicians shou ld be aware of the safety of low-dose OCs so that they can provide accurate and individual counseling concerning the applicability of OCs and other co ntraceptive methods.