The birth control pill is an easy, inexpensive way for many women to prevent pregnancy. Since its inception, the pill has provided peace of mind. But what if family planning was only the beginning? The hidden benefits of the birth control pill may surprise you.
Symptoms of PMS and PMDD
In the days or weeks leading up to a woman’s period, physical and emotional symptoms are called PMS. Fluctuating hormones usually trigger PMS and its more severe form, PMDD. PMDD is generally hard to treat, but the FDA has approved the Yaz pill containing drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol. Yaz is the only birth control pill approved to treat PMDD.
Hormonal Acne
Hormonal acne is triggered by hormonal changes, and why it’s much worse during adolescence. Estrogen and progesterone are the most effective hormonal acne fighters, and combination birth control pills contain both of them.
Bleed on Your Terms
Most birth control pill packs contain a week of placebo pills without any hormones. These pills mark when a woman would typically get their period. If you menstruate, bleeding is a part of life you’ve learned to accept, but you have more control over when you bleed than you think. If your pill pack contains the placebo week of pills, you can skip taking them and start a new pack instead. Maybe you have a vacation coming that week or a special event, now you have the freedom to choose when you start your period.
As always, consult your doctor to cover any bases specific to you, as most recommend you have your period at least once every three months.
Ovarian and Endometrial Cancers
It has long been known that oral contraceptives offer protection against ovarian and endometrial cancers. However, new research indicates the reduction of risk can extend up to 35 years after discontinuing the contraceptives. The continual regulated suppression of ovulation from progestin and estrogen is believed to prevent the amount of cell turnover that could lead to cancerous cells’ development.
Clinical research studies have continued to advance contraceptive options for all women. To learn more about our birth control studies enrolling here at Women’s Healthcare Research, visit our website, or call (858) 505-8672.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/birth-control-benefits#reduced-cancer-risk