[Contraception and the gynecologic future].

The gynecologic future of contraception can be predicted in 2 senses from the woman's viewpoint. 1st, postponing or avoiding pregnancy by any method predisposes women to fibroids, ovarian dystrophy, endometriosis, sterility, mastopathy, and breast and endometrial cancer. 2nd, pills and IUDs have inherent risks absent with the traditional methods. In the realm of gynecologic medicine, pills can facilitate growth of cancer, cause sterility and might be teratogenic. IUDs are not totally effective and can cause sterilizing infections. Giving an IUD to a nullipara or to any woman who wants more children is considered a scandalous practice. Looking toward the future from the gynecologists' viewpoint, many experience misgivings about performing abortions. Some dislike prescribing chemical or mechanical contraception, and object to being made responsible for deciding which potentially dangerous birth control procedure to prescribe to healthy patients for whom pregnancy is more therapeutic.