top of page

For the Girl Who Knows She's Worth More Than Pseudo-Science


In a world where the largest library is right at our fingertips, it can be hard to discern what data is well researched and what is incorrectly sourced, interpreted, or generalized too broadly. Here at Right to Know, we have a professional medical board dedicated and passionate about data being correctly understood. We want to make sure you are up to date with the latest research and feel equipped to think critically about next steps for you and your friends when it comes to learning the voice of your body. One thing we love to speak into with the women we meet is the recent trend of critically thinking about the effects of hormonal birth control. There are many reasons why a woman begins to use various forms of birth control. It is no small thing. Once taken, it becomes a part of your body's story. Therefore, this topic comes up often. While we wait for our formal 'Birth Control Review' to be published, our team is happy to have pulled together sources for your critical thinking and understanding of hormonal contraceptives. Never hesitate to write into the Right to Know Hotline with any specific questions you may have.


Cancer Risk & Hormonal Contraception

  • Dolle, J. M., Daling, J. R., White, E., Brinton, L. A., Doody, D. R., Porter, P. L., & Malone, K. E. (2009). Risk factors for triple-negative breast cancer in women under the age of 45 years. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 18(4), 1157–1166. https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-08-1005

  • IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. (2007). Combined estrogen–progestogen contraceptives and combined estrogen–progestogen menopausal therapy (IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, No. 91). International Agency for Research on Cancer.

  • National Cancer Institute. (2018, February 22). Oral contraceptives and cancer risk. National Institutes of Health.

  • Mørch, L. S., Skovlund, C. W., Hannaford, P. C., Iversen, L., Fielding, S., Lidegaard, Ø., & other authors. (2017). Contemporary hormonal contraception and the risk of breast cancer. New England Journal of Medicine, 377(23), 2228–2239. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1700732

Mental Health & Hormonal Contraception

Cardiovascular & Blood Clot Risk

  • Stegeman, B. H., de Bastos, M., Rosendaal, F. R., van Hylckama Vlieg, A., Helmerhorst, F. M., Stijnen, T., & Dekkers, O. M. (2013). Different combined oral contraceptives and the risk of venous thrombosis: Systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMJ, 347, f5298.

  • Curtis, K. M., Nguyen, A. T., Tepper, N. K., Zapata, L. B., Snyder, E. M., Hatfield-Timajchy, K., Kortsmit, K., Cohen, M. A., Whiteman, M. K., & other authors. (2024). U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use, 2024. MMWR Recommendations and Reports, 73(3), 1–77. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.rr7303a1

  • Tanis, B. C., van den Bosch, M. A. A. J., Kemmeren, J. M., Cats, V. M., Helmerhorst, F. M., Algra, A., van der Graaf, Y., & Rosendaal, F. R. (2001). Oral contraceptives and the risk of myocardial infarction. New England Journal of Medicine, 345(25), 1787–1793. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa003216

  • Gillum, L. A., Mamidipudi, S. K., & Johnston, S. C. (2000). Ischemic stroke risk with oral contraceptives: A meta-analysis. JAMA, 284(1), 72–78. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.284.1.72

  • Lidegaard, Ø., Nielsen, L. H., Skovlund, C. W., Skjeldestad, F. E., & Løkkegaard, E. (2011). Risk of venous thromboembolism from use of oral contraceptives containing different progestogens and oestrogen doses: Danish cohort study, 2001–9. BMJ, 343, d6423. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.d6423

IUDs (Safety & Effects)

  • Committee on Practice Bulletins-Gynecology, Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Work Group (2017). Practice Bulletin No. 186: Long-Acting Reversible Contraception: Implants and Intrauterine Devices. Obstetrics and gynecology, 130(5), e251–e269. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000002400

  • Smith-McCune, K., Thomas, R., Averbach, S., Seidman, D., Takeda, M., Houshdaran, S., & Giudice, L. C. (2020). Differential Effects of the Hormonal and Copper Intrauterine Device on the Endometrial Transcriptome. Scientific reports, 10(1), 6888. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-63798-8

General Hormonal Effects & Physiology

This information is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional when making health decisions.

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page