Contraception

The pill may harm arteries
Long-term use of the birth control pill may increase the risk of arterial plaque build-up, European researchers report.

Contraceptive patch dangerous?
Controversy surrounding the birth-control patch rages on as consumer advocacy groups claim it's more dangerous than the pill and issue a call for it to be pulled off the market.

Female condoms as good
Female condoms may be more prone to slipping or other technical difficulties than male versions are, but the two seem similarly effective at blocking semen, research suggests.

Unwanted pregnancies rife
Twenty-eight million US women are at risk of having unwanted pregnancies, researchers say. In South Africa the number is also high, but for different reasons.

Pill does not up cancer risk
The Pill does not boost a woman's risk of developing cancer and may even reduce that hazard, according to a long-term study.