Cancers * There is a mixed effect of combined hormonal contraceptives on the rates of various cancers, with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) stating: "It was concluded that, if the reported association was causal, the excess risk for breast cancer associated with typical patterns of current use of combined oral contraceptives was very small." and also saying that "there is also conclusive evidence that these agents have a protective effect against cancers of the ovary and endometrium": * The (IARC) notes that "the weight of the evidence suggests a small increase in the relative risk for breast cancer among current and recent users" which following discontinuation then lessens over a period of 10 years to similar rates as women who never used them, as well as "The increase in risk for breast cancer associated with the use of combined oral contraceptives in younger women could be due to more frequent contacts with doctors" * Small increases are also seen in the rates of cervical cancer and hepatocellular (liver) tumours. * Endometrial and ovarian cancer risks are approximately halved and persists for at least 10 years after cessation of use; although "sequential oral contraceptives which were removed from the consumer market in the 1970s was associated with an increased risk for endometrial cancer". * Studies have overall not shown effects on the relative risks for colorectal, malignant melanoma or thyroid cancers. * Information on progesterone-only pills is less extensive, due to smaller sampling sizes, but they do not appear to significantly increase the risk of breast cancer. * Most other forms of<unk>  are too new for meaningful data to be available, although risks and benefits are believed to be similar for methods which use the same hormones; e.g., risks for combined-hormone patches are thought to be roughly equivalent to those for combined-hormone pills. Cardiovascular disease Combined oral contraceptives can increase the risk of certain types of cardiovascular disease in women with a pre-existing condition or already-heightened risk of cardiovascular disease. Smoking (for women over 35), metabolic conditions like diabetes, obesity and family history of heart disease are all risk factors which may be exacerbated by the use of certain hormonal contraceptives. Blood clots<unk>  methods are consistently linked with the risk of developing blood clots. However, the risk does vary depending on the hormone type or birth control method being used. Depression There is a growing body of research evidence investigating the links between<unk> , and potential adverse effects on women’s psychological health. Findings from a large Danish study of one million women (followed up from 2000-2013) were published in 2016, and reported that the use of<unk>  was associated with a statistically significant increased risk of subsequent depression, particularly amongst adolescents. Within this study, women on the progestogen-only pill in particular, were 34% more likely to be subsequently be given a first diagnosis of depression or to take anti-depressants, in comparison to those not on<unk> . Similarly, in 2018, another large cohort study in Sweden with women aged 12–30 (n=815,662) found an association between<unk>  and subsequent use of psychotropic drugs, particularly amongst adolescents (aged 12–19). These studies highlight the need for further research into the links between<unk> , and adverse effects on women’s psychological health.
Hormonal contraception
Combined hormonal contraception
Fertility medication
Hormonal therapy 
Bodybuilding supplement
Abortifacient
Sex-hormonal agent
Vas-occlusive contraception