A major study published in JAMA Oncology reveals that certain hormonal contraceptives, especially progestin-only and synthetic progestins like desogestrel, are associated with a modest increase in breast cancer risk, highlighting the importance of informed discussions between women and healthcare providers about contraceptive choices and risk factors.
A large study of over 2 million women confirms that hormonal contraceptive use, especially pills containing desogestrel, is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, though benefits may outweigh risks with personalized counseling.
A large study of over 2 million women confirms that hormonal contraceptive use, especially pills containing desogestrel, is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, though benefits may outweigh risks with personalized counseling.
A Rice University study finds that hormonal birth control not only affects reproductive health but also influences women's emotional processing and memory, potentially impacting mental health by altering how negative experiences are remembered and managed.
New research suggests that women using birth control pills experience different stress and inflammation responses compared to those not using these contraceptives. The study found that women using hormonal contraceptives reported higher levels of subjective stress and exhibited a more significant increase in cortisol levels in response to stress. They also showed a decrease in certain inflammatory markers following stress, while exhibiting higher levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) across time points. These findings highlight the complex ways in which hormonal contraceptives can influence the body's psychophysiological reactions and may have implications for women's mental and physical health. Further research is needed to understand the full scope of these effects and inform healthcare choices.
Experts warn that some commonly prescribed medications, including those for ADHD, anti-seizure, heartburn, and pain, may have depression and suicidal thoughts listed as potential side effects. Hormonal birth control medications can also cause depression in some women. While these side effects are relatively rare, patients should not stop taking their medications without consulting their doctors. Depression affects a significant portion of the population, and it is unclear how many cases are caused by medication side effects. It is important for patients to communicate any changes in mood to their healthcare providers, who can adjust the dosage or prescribe alternative treatments if necessary.
A study conducted by researchers from Aarhus University and the United States found that women on birth control pills do not experience the same reduction in stress hormone levels during social activities as those not on the pill. The study revealed that the stress response in women who do not take birth control pills depends on their menstrual cycle phase, which may influence the production of stress-regulating hormones. The researchers suggest that birth control pills could suppress the body's own production of progesterone, impacting the stress response. Further research is needed to fully understand the complex interactions between hormone levels and the stress response.
Traditional risk factors for heart disease in women are limited, and there are several unexpected factors that can increase a woman's risk of heart disease, including pregnancy-related conditions, menstrual cycle history, use of hormonal contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, chemotherapy or radiation, polycystic ovarian syndrome, autoimmune disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Women should be aware of these risk factors and discuss them with their doctors to take control of their own health.
Traditional risk factors for heart disease in women, such as diet and family medical history, only tell part of the story, according to a recent statement from the American Heart Association. The statement highlights several unexpected factors that can increase women's risk of heart disease, including pregnancy-related conditions, menstrual cycle history, use of hormonal contraceptives, chemotherapy or radiation, polycystic ovarian syndrome, autoimmune disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Women are encouraged to discuss these risk factors with their doctors to take control of their own health.
A recent study by Oxford Population Health’s Cancer Epidemiology Unit has shown that all hormonal birth control, including progestin-only contraceptives, raises the risk of breast cancer. The risk remains elevated even after discontinuation of hormonal birth control. Despite mounting evidence of the harms of birth control, the FDA has refused to supply women with a black box warning. The benefits of preventing pregnancy seem to trump all other considerations, even those that could take the lives of women.
A recent study found that progestin-only birth control may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer in women under 50, but the increase is nominal and should not cause too much alarm. The study compared data from 9,498 women under 50 with breast cancer with a control group of 18,171 women who did not have breast cancer from 1996 to 2017. While birth control comes with its benefits, too, if you're worried about your breast cancer risk, talk to your doctor.
A recent study from the U.K. found that progestin-only methods of birth control carry about the same risk of breast cancer as options containing estrogen. Progestin-only options include birth control pills, implants, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and injections. The risk of breast cancer hormonal contraceptives is still small, and should not be the only factor a person considers when choosing a form of birth control. Hormonal birth control slightly increases the risk of breast cancer, but it has also been shown to reduce the risk of other cancers, including endometrial, uterine, and ovarian cancer.
Progestin-only birth control carries the same risk of breast cancer as combination birth control containing estrogen, according to a recent study from the UK. However, the risk is still very small and should be one of many factors considered when choosing a birth control option. Progestin-only options include birth control pills, implants, intrauterine devices, and injections. Experts recommend patients gather a well-rounded picture of birth control benefits and risks before making a decision.
A new study by researchers from the University of Oxford has found that hormonal contraceptives, including combined oestrogen and progestogen birth control pills and progestagen-only contraceptives, increase the risk of breast cancer by around 20-30%. The risk of breast cancer in pre-menopausal women taking these forms of birth control increased with age. The study was based on data from nearly 30,000 women. Despite the risks, Cancer Research UK, which funded the study, did not discourage the use of hormonal contraceptives, stating that the decision to use them should be made after speaking to a doctor.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that all hormonal contraceptives, including the progestogen-only pill, carry a small increased risk of breast cancer. The study estimated that for users aged 16 to 25, there could be eight new cases of breast cancer per 100,000 of women taking either pill for 15 years. However, drinking alcohol and smoking can increase breast cancer risk more. The decision to use contraception is up to the individual and should be weighed against personal risk factors, including age, weight, and lifestyle choices. The study also suggests that the breast cancer risk decreases once again after the person stops taking the pill.