Other uses of the contraceptive pill
BIRTH control pills may be the only multi-use contraceptives, as they are recommended for a variety of problems that don’t involve preventing pregnancy.
Here are a few of the pill’s other uses.
* Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
* Alleviation of menstrual cramps
* Reduction of menstrual bleeding
* Regulation of periods
* Clearing up some types of acne
*Lowering the risk of endometriosis
* Replacement of oestrogen
* Prevention of Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS)
* Lowering chances of anaemia.
PCOS: This condition causes a hormonal imbalance which results in irregular menstrual periods, acne, and excess hair growth. Therefore, women who are diagnosed with PCOS are often prescribed oral contraceptives to lower their hormone levels and regulate their periods. The pill works by lowering certain hormone levels to regulate the menstrual cycle. The reduction of hormone level results in a reduction of hair growth.
Alleviation of menstrual cramps: Birth control pills may be the solution to horrible menstrual cramps. A Swedish study found that period pain is caused by hormones called prostaglandins, produced by the lining of the womb to make it contract. It is believed that the contraceptive pill prevents the production of these hormones and thereby reduces these cramps. The pill also leads to shorter periods, and if the woman takes it continuously, no periods at all.
Regulation of periods: Taking the pill gives women control over when their period starts and when it ends.
Clearing up some types of acne: Because of the hormones found in some birth control pills, they are often prescribed for moderate to severe acne when over-the-counter and prescription medications do not seem to help. The hormones in these pills — like Yaz — claim to help stop acne from forming.
Lowering the risk of endometriosis: Most women with endometriosis (a condition in which the tissue normally lining the womb grows on different organs outside the uterus causing severe pain and abnormal bleeding around the time of the period) have severe cramps or pelvic pain during their menstrual cycle. Birth control pills are often prescribed to treat endometriosis and work by temporarily preventing periods. When hormonal treatment is prescribed continuously, women will rarely have periods, or not at all. Since periods can cause pain for young women with endometriosis, stopping periods will usually improve cramps and pelvic pain.
Replacement of oestrogen: Low weight, stress, excessive exercise, or damage to the ovaries from radiation or chemotherapy show that the hormone oestrogen is not made in normal amounts by the body. Thus birth control pills may be prescribed to replace oestrogen, which help to regulate the menstrual cycle. For women with irregular menstrual periods or where the period is non-existent, birth control pills can help to regulate the menstrual cycle to every 28 days, and provide the body with normal amounts of oestrogen. A normal oestrogen level is also important for healthy bones.
Prevention of PMS: Symptoms of PMS such as mood swings, breast soreness, bloating, and acne can occur up to two weeks before a young woman’s period. The pill may be prescribed to keep hormone levels balanced. Symptoms may improve, especially when this contraceptive is prescribed continuously.
Preventing anaemia: Studies have also shown that because there is less blood being lost when taking birth control pills, women are less likely to get anaemia (low number of red blood cells).