The Risks of Taking the Pill

The results of two studies on the dangers of oral contraceptives have been in the press recently, one indicating an increased risk of cervical cancer and the other a risk of greater artery plaque accumulation. An article on Nature, however, discusses the implications of the studies and cautions against making a categorical "taking the pill is good" or "taking the pill is bad" judgement.

For example, the increased cervical cancer risk - commonly accepted in the medical community - may be outweighed by a decreased risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer. Additionally, not all birth control pills are created equally. The varying composition and concentration of hormones within the different pills on the market (both today and in years past) may have a distinct effect on the risks involved. This may be particularly true in the plaque study, where an older pill was used that contains higher levels of hormones.