---
title: What health benefits does the oral contraceptive pill provide?
description: The oral contraceptive pill has proven benefits including protection against ovarian and endometrial cancers, preventing serious infections and pregnancy comp
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/noncontraceptive-benefits-and-therapeutic-uses-of-the-oral-contraceptive-pill-2001/
---

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- What health benefits does the oral contraceptive pill provide?

Review, 2001

# What health benefits does the oral contraceptive pill provide?

The oral contraceptive pill has proven benefits including protection against ovarian and endometrial cancers, preventing serious infections and pregnancy complications, and preventing anemia. It can also treat painful periods, heavy bleeding, acne, and endometriosis pain.

 Moderate study design

This review examined research evidence on oral contraceptive benefits in women

## What they did

Reviewed research evidence on the health benefits and medical uses of oral contraceptive pills.

## What they found

Clear evidence shows oral contraceptives protect against ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, benign breast disease, pelvic inflammatory disease requiring hospitalization, ectopic pregnancy, and iron-deficiency anemia. They may also help with bone strength, uterine fibroids, and colorectal cancer. Oral contraceptives can treat painful periods, irregular or heavy bleeding, acne, and endometriosis pain.

## What it means for you

Oral contraceptives have many proven health benefits beyond preventing pregnancy, but most women don't know about them. Healthcare providers should discuss these benefits with women so they can make well-informed decisions about contraception.

## About the study

Original title Noncontraceptive benefits and therapeutic uses of the oral contraceptive pill Authors Dayal M, Barnhart KT Journal Seminars in reproductive medicine Year 2001 Study design Review Read the paper [doi.org/10.1055/s-2001-18637](https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2001-18637)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Endometriosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-endometriosis/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

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