Off-Label Uses of Oral Contraceptives

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend oral contraceptives for something other than the approved uses. This is called an "off-label" use. At this time, off-label oral contraceptives uses include treatment of the following conditions:

 

How Do Oral Contraceptives Work?

Oral contraceptives contain hormones that act in a few different ways to prevent pregnancy. Most oral contraceptives are classified as combined oral contraceptives and contain two different types of hormones: an estrogen and a progestin. The hormones in combined oral contraceptives prevent pregnancy primarily by stopping ovulation (the maturation and release of eggs from the ovaries). However, they also work to prevent pregnancy in two other, less important ways. Oral contraceptives change the cervical mucus (the fluid of the cervix, which is the lower, narrow part of the uterus that is connected to the vagina), making it more difficult for sperm to enter the uterus. They also alter the lining of the uterus (the endometrium), making it less receptive to an embryo.

 

Some oral contraceptives contain just a progestin and no estrogen. These are known as progestin-only contraceptives. These oral contraceptives rely more heavily on changes in the cervical mucus and uterine lining, since they are less effective at preventing ovulation (only about half the women who take them stop ovulating). In comparison, combined oral contraceptives stop ovulation in almost all women when taken correctly.