CERVICAL SQUAMOUS INTRAEPITHELIAL LESIONS AND LONG – TERM USE OF ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS.

Combined oral contraceptive pills (OCP) provide highly effective birth control. Studies have indicated that the risk for dysplasia and carcinoma insitu of the uterine cervix increases with the use of oral contraception for more than 1 year. Invasive cervical cancer may increase after 5 years of us reaching a 2- fold increase after 10 years. But conclusions regarding cervical cancer are not definitive. The aim of this study is to assess the frequency of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions in users of OCP for more than 5 years versus nonusers.

Materials & Methods: This cross- sectional study was performed on 500 women between 30-50 years old. The Study population were selected from a population lab 250 woman using OCP for more than 5 years (exposoure) and 250 nonusers (non exposure) were selected. After filling the questionnaires out and obtaining pap smear test, the results were reported based on Bethesda system. The results were statistically analyzed by chi- square and logistic regression tests.

Results: OCP users had ASCUS in 2.8 % and LSIL in 0.8 % of cases. The non-exposures had also 2.8 % ASCUS. There was no statistically significant relationship (P>0.05). The only significant relations were between long- term OCP use with increasing age and current use.

Conclusion: Regarding no significant relation between long- term OCP use with cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions, we recommend OCP use because of its high effectiveness without fear of increased risk of cervical neoplasia. However, there is a need for further case – control studies to evaluate the relation between long-term use of OCP and intraepithelial cervical lesions especially in current users.