IARC MONOGRAPHS

In 1969, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) initiated a programme on the evaluation of the carcinogenic risk of chemicals to humans involving the production of critically evaluated monographs on individual chemicals. The programme was subsequently expanded to include evaluations of carcinogenic risks associated with exposures to complex mixtures, life-style factors and biological and physical agents, as well as those in specific occupations.

The objective of the programme is to elaborate and publish in the form of monographs critical reviews of data on carcinogenicity for agents to which humans are known to be exposed and on specific exposure situations; to evaluate these data in terms of human risk with the help of international working groups of experts in chemical carcinogenesis and related fields; and to indicate where additional research efforts are needed.

The lists of IARC evaluations are regularly updated and are available on Internet: http://monographs.iarc.fr/

This programme has been supported by Cooperative Agreement 5 UO1 CA33193 awarded since 1982 by the United States National Cancer Institute, Department of Health and Human Services. Additional support has been provided since 1986 by the European Commission, Directorate-General EMPL (Employment, and Social Affairs), Health, Safety and Hygiene at Work Unit, and since 1992 by the United States National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

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• ©International Agency for Research on Cancer, 2007
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IARC Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

• Combined Estrogen–Progestogen Contraceptives and
• Combined Estrogen–Progestogen Menopausal Therapy/
• IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans (2005: Lyon, France)
• (IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans; v. 91)
• 1. Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal – adverse effects 2. Estrogens – adverse effects 3. Estrogens – therapeutic use 4. Hormone Replacement Therapy – adverse effects 5. Neoplasms – chemically induced 6. Neoplasms – prevention & control 7. Progestins – adverse effects 8. Progestins – therapeutic use
• I. IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans II. Series
• ISBN 978 92 832 1291 1 (NLM Classification: W1)
• ISSN 1017-1606
• PRINTED IN FRANCE

1 Oral contraceptives for family planning worldwide have revolutionized the reproductive lives of millions of women since their introduction in the 1960s.

2 Later on, a variety of side-effects including cardiovascular diseases was recognized. In response to these concerns, new generations of combined oral contraceptives were developed that featured lower doses of estrogen and newer, more potent progestogens.

3 The effectiveness and ease of use of combined hormonal contraceptives suggest that they will continue to be used to a significant extent in the future.

Cover design: Georges Mollon, IARC