"What do you mean, how often do I want to have my period? Are you saying I have a choice?!"
We women hear a lot about side effects of birth control, but we don't hear as much about the side benefits. If you haven't had a conversation with your doctor lately about family planning, you may be in for some surprises, like the fact that lighter, less frequent periods may be healthier for you.
Modern birth control methods are not only safer and more effective than ever before, they offer an array of bonus health benefits. Of course the biggest health gains of contraception come from being able to avoid ill-timed or unwanted pregnancies along with related wear and tear. But depending on which method you choose, your birth control can help you to avoid a number of other problems as well, from pimples and miserable monthlies to cancer.
- Acne -- Physically, acne is just a nuisance. But for many young women, chronic speckles or monthly hormone-related outbreaks take a toll on self-esteem, and the scars -- both physical and psychological -- can persist. All birth control methods that contain estrogen can help to clear or prevent acne. That includes combined oral contraceptives (most pills) and the ring. In fact, some birth control pill brands have even sought and received FDA approval for this purpose.
No one birth control method fits for everyone, but with known exceptions the health benefits of modern contraceptives vastly outweigh the risks. Of American women who take birth control pills, almost three quarters use them, at least in part, for reasons other than family planning. Hormonal IUDs get rave reviews from some young women not just because they are highly reliable "set and forget" contraceptives, but because lighter, less frequent periods make it easier to exercise consistently or to excel in other parts of life, like parenting, military duty, work, and sports.
Gone are the days when family planning meant crossed fingers and carefully washed reusable condoms, or metal pessaries or worse. Even today, researchers are busy exploring next generation contraceptives, and better options are in the pipeline. But modern women have choices beyond the wildest dreams of our mothers and grandmothers.
Co-authored by Robert Hatcher, M.D.
Dr. Hatcher is professor emeritus of obstetrics and gynecology at the Emory University School of MEdicine and serves as lead author for contraceptive technology, now in its 20th edition. He answers questions about contraceptives at www.managingcontraception.com.
This article is adapted from a presentation by Dr. Robert Hatcher, "So Much More," made available by Contemporary Forums medical continuing education as a part of the bi-annual Contraceptive Technology conference.