A Wayne State University study has shown that birth controlls may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Researchers, led by Dr. Rahi Victory, a fellow in the WSU Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, and Dr. Michael Diamond, associate chair of obstetrics and gynecology, used the Women's Health Initiative database -- the same federal study that led to a better understanding of the risks posed by hormone-replacement therapy -- in their research.

In one study, Dr. Victory examined the records of more than 161,000 women, of whom 26,000 had been attempting conception without success for a year. Using a variety of statistical techniques, it was discovered that women with a prior history of infertility ran a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as tubal pregnancy, miscarriage or stillbirth.

The team then investigated the WHI database to examine the relationship between oral contraceptive use and cardiovascular health. The WHI database included some 67,000 women who used birth control pills. They found a strong relationship between OC use and reduced risk of multiple cardiovascular disease-related outcomes, including any cardiovascular disease, hypercholesterolemia, angina, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack, peripheral vascular disease, and need for cardiac catheterization. The data showed that increasing age, elevated body mass index and smoking, greatly increased the risks, even in OC users.

The scientists used the same database to examine the history of gynecological cancers among those 67,000 birth-control pill users. There were a total of 14,849 cancers found in that group. The team concluded that a history of oral contraceptive use significantly reduces cancer risks.