Are routine breast and pelvic examinations necessary for women starting combined oral contraception?

Authors: A. Scott; A.F. Glasier

Source: Human Reproduction Update, Volume 10, Number 5, 4 September 2004 , pp. 449-452(4)

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Abstract:

Millions of women worldwide use combined oral contraception (COC). Most of them are in good health and have no contraindications to using any contraceptive method. Although extremely safe for the vast majority of women and even though the absolute risk of complications is very small, COC is associated with an increased relative risk of serious conditions including cardiovascular disease and breast and cervical cancer. In many countries, breast and pelvic examinations are routinely undertaken annually for all women using hormonal contraception. Breast and pelvic examination have low detection rates for abnormality and may yield clinically irrelevant results, causing anxiety and inconvenience to the patient for no obvious gain. There is no good evidence to support routine breast or pelvic examination either for women starting hormonal contraception or for monitoring long-term use.

Keywords: breast; contraception; hormonal; pelvic; screening

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmh031

Affiliations: 1: Lothian Health Family Planning and Well Woman Services, 18 Dean Terrace, Edinburgh EH4 1NL,

Publication date: 2004-09-04

More about this publication?

Human Reproduction Update, first published in 1995, aims to provide invited, comprehensive, authoritative, up-to-date critical and balanced reviews covering all areas of human reproduction including reproductive physiology and pathology, endocrinology, andrology, gonad function, gametogenesis, fertilization, embryo development, implantation, pregnancy, genetics, genetic diagnosis, oncology, infectious disease, surgery, contraception, infertility treatment, psychology and counselling, ethics and social issues. These papers are peer-reviewed to the highest editorial and scientific standards. Human Reproduction Update is published on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).

Are routine breast and pelvic examinations necessary for women starting combined oral contraception?

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