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BackgroundFunctional ovarian cysts are a common gynecological problem among women of reproductive age worldwide. When large, persistent, or painful, these cysts may require operations, sometimes resulting in removal of the ovary. Since early oral contraceptives were associated with a reduced incidence of functional ovarian cysts, many clinicians inferred that birth control pills could be used to treat cysts as well. This became a common clinical practice in the early 1970s. ObjectivesThis review examined all randomized controlled trials that studied oral contraceptives as therapy for functional ovarian cysts. Search methodsWe searched the databases of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, POPLINE, and EMBASE, as well as clinical trials databases (ClinicalTrials.gov and ICTRP). We also examined the reference lists of articles and wrote to authors of identified trials to seek articles we had missed.

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