CROHN'S DISEASE/ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES
Crohn's disease limited to the colon has been shown to be more frequent in women who had taken oral contraceptives in the year prior to the development of symptoms according to a British study. Previous reports have suggested a relationship between oral contraceptives and colitis, and this study supports those reports. Women who developed colitis improved after discontinuation of the medication. (British Medical Journal 288:595-596, February 25, 1984) No hormone is without some hazard. Copyright Phylis Austin

CONTRACEPTIVE DIAPHRAGMS/URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS
Women who use diaphragms to prevent pregnancy run a higher than average risk of developing urinary tract infections. Dr. Robert Latham of the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City reports that diaphragm users had an infection rate of 21 percent. Women in general have a yearly urinary tract infection rate of 1-5 percent. Dr. Latham doesn't fully understand the cause of this increased infection rate, but it may be due to changes in the flora of the vagina, or to obstruction of the urethra, producing urine retention. Diaphragm users reported a mean average of 5 1/2 months of diaphragm use before the first infection. (Internal Medicine News 17(24)12, December 15-31, 1984) Copyright Phylis Austin

GLUCOSE TOLERANCE/ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES
Women 20 to 44 years of age who are taking birth control pills have been shown to have impaired glucose tolerance (higher blood sugar levels) compared to women not on birth control pills. (Journal of Chronic Disease 40(1)3-11, 1987) Abnormal blood glucose levels may be predictive of both diabetes mellitus and heart disease. Copyright Phylis Austin

ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES/BREAST CANCER
Birth control pills may stimulate breast cancer, particularly in older users, according to a California study. It is felt that latent cancer cells present in the breast may be stimulated into active growth. (Cancer 59:281-287, 1987) Copyright Phylis Austin