Other benefits of birth control pills
THE moment we hear ‘the pill’ we think of pregnancy prevention, and that’s normal, since the pill is perhaps the most common birth control method for women. But the benefits of birth control pills, according to obstetrician- gynaecologist at Icon Medical Centre, Dr Keisha Buchanan, extend beyond contraception.
“There are many benefits of oral contraceptive use. These are gynaecological and non-gynaecological. The gynaecological benefits include regularising the period for those who have irregular period cycles, such as women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS),” Dr Buchanan said.
Below she shares a few other benefits of oral contraceptives, outside of pregnancy prevention:
They make periods lighter and less painful
“Women who have heavy periods, like those with fibroids and endometriosis, find that the oral contraceptives can make the periods lighter and less painful,” Dr Buchanan said. Lighter flows may also be attributed to the fact that these pills impede the growth of the endometrial lining.
They aid in maintaining a good blood count
Dr Buchanan noted that oral contraceptives can also help with correcting low blood count (anaemia) — a condition which sometimes develops from heavy periods. Anaemia is associated with low energy and fatigue. Women on the pill often experience lighter periods.
They control spotting outside of your regular period
“Some women have conditions that cause spotting between the periods, and the oral contraceptive pill can prevent this spotting,” Dr Buchanan said.
They regularise your periods
One of the more common uses of the pill is that it helps women to know exactly when they will be having their periods. Once the pill is taken correctly, you would know that you will get your period in the week you are taking your inactive pills with the traditional pack. This, however, is a little different in the case of the non-traditional or extended-cycle pills which contain active pills lasting up to four months. This means that women who choose this option, for medical reasons or otherwise, will only get their periods three or four times each year.
They help to prevent ovarian cysts
“At times the oral contraceptive can help to prevent ovarian cysts, as they suppress ovulation,” Dr Buchanan said. “What happens is that in the absence of ovulation, it becomes less likely that ovarian cysts will form, thereby causing you some relief.” While there is no association with making ovarian cysts go away faster, there has been proof that birth control pills could, in fact, prevent new cysts from forming.
They prevent cancers
“They protect the lining of the womb and prevent womb cancer and growths in the womb called polyps,” Dr Buchanan shared. “The oral contraceptive pill has even been proven to prevent ovarian cancer and is also a treatment for endometriosis.” According to a study in the journal Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology, taking the pill can cut your risk of developing ovarian cancer by at least 50 per cent, and this can increase to 70 per cent in the case of endometrial cancer.
They can help your skin
“Oral contraceptives help in the reduction of acne and excessive hair growth on the face, chin and chest (hirsutism),” Dr Buchanan said. The reasoning behind this is that birth control encourages the production of a protein that prevents testosterone (androgens) in the bloodstream, thereby lowering the possibility of acne and excess hair growth.
