Studies link pill to increased heart risks; but positives still outweigh negatives

Oral contraceptives may also slightly increase chance of cervical cancer, but experts say these papers are not reason enough to discontinue it.

By Victoria Stagg Elliott, AMNews staff. Dec. 10, 2007.

Hormonal birth control pills may increase markers of cardiovascular disease risk and the chance of developing cervical cancer, according to a handful of studies published and presented at medical meetings within the past month. Experts say, however, that while these studies help paint a more complete picture of the effects of this form of contraception, the positives still outweigh the negatives.

"These [findings] should not change the way oral contraceptives are prescribed," said Nieca Goldberg, MD, medical director of New York University's Women's Heart Program.

With regard to cardiovascular disease, a pair of papers presented at the American Heart Assn. Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Fla., last month suggested that oral contraceptives combining estrogen and progestin increased arterial plaque and levels of C-reactive protein. Researchers analyzed data from a population-based sample of people in Belgium and found these hormones tripled CRP. Taking them for 10 years increased plaque by 20% to 30%.

Experts praised the studies for shining a light on women's heart health and reinforcing the concept that female hormones do not protect this organ. Medical societies and health advocates have become more vocal about such issues in the wake of the Women's Health Initiative. That project proved that hormone therapy was not the way to prevent coronary artery disease and demonstrated that other strategies needed to be devised. Cardiologists are hoping these papers will increase the number of women who have cardiovascular risk factors assessed.