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Benefits of Birth Control

Birth control allows women to have freedom and convenience all while preventing pregnancy. But did you know there are more benefits of birth control than preventing pregnancy? Check them out below.

By A MPublished 6 years ago 4 min read
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Birth control has been around for decades. Whether it’s the pill, the patch, the ring, or any other of the many forms of hormonal birth control, there are several benefits to using to using contraceptives. Aside from preventing pregnancy, birth control can also give you better skin and easier periods. Read below to find out more of the amazing benefits of birth control.

Gives You Better Skin

When you start on hormonal birth control, great things happen to your skin. Because hormonal birth control lowers the levels of testosterone in your body, which every woman’s body makes in small amounts, it will leave you with a glowing complexion. Testosterone is the root source of most of your skin problems, whether it’s whiteheads, blackheads or just annoying acne. Aside from reducing your acne, birth control can also help lower the amount of hair on your body.

Relieve Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

If you suffer from the symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome such as irregular periods, acne, excess body hair and ovarian cysts, birth control has the ability to relieve some of these symptoms. Most people who suffer from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome have higher levels of testosterone and lower levels of female hormones like estrogen. Birth control works to lower the levels of male hormones while boosting the estrogen in your body, meaning less painful and inconvenient symptoms for you.

Makes Your Period More Regular

If you suffer from irregular periods and not knowing when mother nature is going to hit, than going on birth control can be a lifesaver. With birth control like the ring or the pill, you always know exactly when you’re going to get your period. This can give you more control over your life when it comes to planning around your period. Birth control even gives you the option to skip your period all together for more convenience and ease.

Stop Menstrual Migraines

Menstrual migraines are a surprisingly common side effect of having your period every month. It’s reported that nearly 60 percent of women suffer from menstrual migraines, which aside from being painful can put a damper on your everyday life and things like work and enjoying the things you love. Menstrual migraines are generally caused by a sudden drop in estrogen, which birth control can counterbalance. When you’re body is receiving a constant and consistent amount of hormones each day, you don’t have to worry about sudden drops or imbalances.

Shields You From Anemia

If you suffer from heavy periods every month, than you could be losing excess blood each month causing symptoms of anemia like fatigue and weakness. Birth control can help you have lighter and shorter periods, reducing your risk of losing excess blood and symptoms of anemia. When you’re on birth control, not only do you have more convenient periods but you can easily gain your stamina back as well.

Help With Cramps

Birth control can significantly help relieve severe period cramps. No more lying immobile on your couch with a heating pad glued to your lower abdomen. Those severe cramps you feel whenever your period is coming on are caused by an increase in prostaglandin which helps shed your uterine lining and triggers muscle cramps. Birth control works to slow down the sudden increase of prostaglandin meaning fewer cramps and easier periods for you.

Reduce Your Odds of Some Cancers

It has been reported that women who go on the birth control pill or other hormonal forms of birth control reduce their risk of developing ovarian and endometrial cancer by 50 percent. This is because those specific cancers are caused by hormonal imbalances which birth control can work to reduce. On the other hand, taking birth control can slightly increase your risk of cervical and breast cancer.

Ease Endometriosis

Endometriosis is when parts of your uterine tissues leaves your uterus and attaches itself to your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and parts of your pelvic cavity. Endometriosis can cause severe pain and also prevent things like ovulation and fertilization from occurring. With birth control pills, the monthly buildup and shedding of your uterine tissues is reduced meaning it can slow or stop the migration of uterine tissue to other parts of your reproductive system. This can be a godsend for women who suffer from the debilitating pain and symptoms of endometriosis on a monthly basis.

Prevent Cysts in Breasts and Ovaries

Cysts in your breasts and ovaries are not only annoying and can be painful, but have the potential to do your body harm. These cysts usually occur when there is an imbalance or surge of estrogen. By taking birth control, you can better regulate your hormonal balances keeping everything in check and preventing cysts from occurring.

Prevent Bone Thinning

Bone thinning is a major problem in women, especially as you get older and start to enter menopause. Low levels of estrogen and progesterone have been linked to low bone density and osteoporosis in women. Certain methods of hormonal birth control have been studied and showed an ability to prevent bone thinning by increasing hormones like estrogen in your body, therefore raising bone density.

Birth control, in all of its many forms, has several benefits besides preventing unwanted pregnancy. Whether you suffer from debilitating period pain, want to take preventive measures for your health, or are looking for a convenient way to have control over your period, birth control may be the right answer for you. Make sure you have a conversation with your doctor to see if starting hormonal birth control is the right choice for you.

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About the Creator

A M

Freelancer who drinks too much coffee.

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