Endocrine effects of oral contraception.

Numerous well-documented endocrine effects of oral contraceptives (OCs) can be subdivided into two groups: (a) those relating to the hypothalamic and pituitary-ovarian system, the breast and the genital tract of the human female and (b) those related indirectly to laboratory testing of other endocrine glands. Benefits from OC use include marked decreases in the incidence of menorrhagia, benign breast disease, dysmenorrhea, iron deficiency anemia, premenstrual tension and ovarian cyst formation--all of which will be discussed only briefly. Of much concern are two suggested adverse effects of OCs: (a) the development of amenorrhea or menstrual disturbance associated with anovulation after discontinuing OCs, thereby possibly influencing the future fertility of former OC users, and (b) the suggested relationship between hyperprolactinemia and the development of micro- and eventually macropituitary adenomas. A review of the literature, along with our own findings, is presented.