8 Reasons (Other Than Preventing Pregnancy) to Take Birth Control
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Birth control has been practiced in some form or another as far back as 3000 B.C. But it wasn’t until 1960 that a Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved birth control pill was made available to the public.
Since that time, we continue to learn more about the many ways that taking birth control pills can offer women more independent, improved health and a better overall quality of life. In this post, learn about 8 compelling reasons – other than preventing a pregnancy – that you may want to take the birth control pill.
Reason #1: Birth control can help you avoid catching the flu.
“Cold and flu season” couldn’t be more inconveniently timed. The last thing you want to do during the holidays is come down with the flu! But research now shows that taking the birth control pill can help your body fight back against the flu virus.
Reason #2: Birth control can lower your ovarian cancer risk.
Ovarian and endometrial cancer are two cancer forms unique to women. By keeping hormone levels regular and preventing ovulation, taking the pill can cut your risk for developing both kinds of cancer.
Reason #3: Birth control can help prevent skin blemishes.
Whether your battle is with zits or unwelcome hair growth or both, taking birth control pills can keep your troubles to a minimum by reducing the production of androgens (testosterone) in your body.
Reason #4: Birth control can manage endometriosis.
If you have been diagnosed with endometriosis, you don’t need to be told how painful it can be! The pill reduces the amount of tissue buildup in your uterus, meaning there is less risk each month of tissue growing outside the uterus as well. This is why doctors commonly prescribe the pill to women who are struggling with endometriosis.
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Reason #5: Birth control keeps your blood in your body where it belongs.
Depending on how it is used, the birth control pill reduces or prevents your period. In either case, this means you have less or no monthly flow to cope with. Not only does this help you avoid anemia, but it also keeps your energy level regular throughout the month.
RELATED ARTICLE: What Happens To A Woman’s Body When She Stops Using Hormonal Birth Control
Reason #6: Birth control can ease symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome.
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, causes your body to retain eggs when it is time to ovulate. By regulating your hormones and thus your cycles, the pill can guard against infertility as well as the low energy, weight gain and depression PCOS can cause.
Reason #7: Birth control can help your body cope with peri-menopause.
Peri-menopause is the period that precedes menopause (that date when your body has not had a menstrual cycle for one full year). Peri-menopause is when those unpleasant symptoms every woman knows about can occur – weight gain, mood swings, night sweats, hot flashes and spotting. By regulating your hormones, the pill can act as a type of hormone replacement therapy to gently ease your body through peri-menopause.
Reason #8: Birth control can help keep you sane.
If you have ever felt like you are going crazy in the week prior to your monthly cycle, you are in good company! The natural upswings and downswings in your progesterone and estrogen levels are responsible for the moodiness, discomfort, bloating and other symptoms so many women dread. Since the pill regulates your hormones and limits/eliminates ovulation, you won’t have to plan around your “monthly craziness” anymore.
While even the birth control pill has limits in terms of what it can do to reduce the risk of serious illness or disease, regulate mood and energy level and prevent pregnancy, it is still by far the best thing modern medicine has to offer to help women cope with health issues unique to being a female.
With the help of the pill, you gain the ability to regulate your weight, your mood, your independence and your life.
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