10 surprising effects of daily birth control pills

Regular use of daily birth control pills helps women reduce menstrual cramps, support acne treatment, and reduce headaches.

Dr. Phan The Thi, Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that birth control pills contain hormones. If used regularly and at a fixed time every day, the contraceptive effect is up to 99%. In addition, using birth control pills also brings the following health benefits.

Reduce premenstrual symptoms

Premenstrual syndrome usually occurs within two weeks before menstruation begins. Women may experience mood swings, weight gain, breast tenderness, acne, etc. Using birth control pills helps prevent ovulation, balance hormones, and reduce premenstrual symptoms.

Reduce menstrual cramps

Before menstruation, women increase the hormone prostaglandin, which causes contractions that help the uterus shed its lining, sometimes causing cramps in the intestines. Birth control pills keep the hormones in the body stable, with less tissue growing inside the uterine lining. The body does not trigger the production of prostaglandins, which does not cause menstrual cramps.

Birth control pills can help women reduce premenstrual discomfort. Photo: Freepik

Menstrual regulation

When the body does not produce enough progesterone as needed, women experience irregular menstruation, with too little or too much menstrual flow. Lack of progesterone causes the uterine lining to thicken, increasing menstrual flow. Contraceptives containing progesterone limit the overgrowth of the uterine lining, supporting regular menstrual cycles.

Overcome hirsutism

Hirsutism in women is caused by the influence of androgens (a male hormone) which causes excessive hair growth on the face, chin, areola, chest, arms and legs. According to Dr. Thi, taking birth control pills is the preferred method of treating hirsutism in women who do not want to get pregnant. However, the drug is contraindicated for women with thromboembolic disease, breast cancer or other estrogen-related cancers.

Daily birth control pills help regulate menstruation. Photo: Freepik

Acne treatment support

Oral contraceptives can be used to treat acne in adults (over 25 years old). The drug is effective in treating acne by acting on hormones to treat hormonal acne. Synthetic hormones in oral contraceptives inhibit the body's production of androgens. As a result, the sebaceous glands are less stimulated and produce less oil.

Improve headache condition

There are many causes of headaches in women, one of which is due to changes in estrogen and progesterone levels in the body. Women can take birth control pills as directed by their doctor to control estrogen levels, thereby improving headaches.

Treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder in women. Although it cannot be cured, birth control pills can control the symptoms of the disease such as irregular menstruation, acne, hirsutism...

Endometriosis treatment

Women with endometriosis have symptoms such as abdominal pain during menstruation, dysmenorrhea, pain during intercourse, ovulation, chronic pain in the pelvic area... The mechanism of action of progestin birth control pills is to thin the endometrium, thereby reducing blood loss during menstruation, reducing dysmenorrhea. The drug can also inhibit ovulation, reducing abdominal pain. Women who take the drug continuously improve their menstrual cycle and reduce endometrial lesions.

Uterine fibroid treatment

Uterine fibroids are one of the benign gynecological diseases, which rarely pose a danger to health if detected and treated promptly. Contraceptive pills can overcome complications of fibroids such as heavy menstruation, prolonged menstruation, and reduce menstrual cramps.

Controlling perimenopausal hot flashes

Birth control pills are often prescribed by doctors to premenopausal women to treat irregular menstruation, control hot flashes, and prevent unwanted pregnancy.

Doctor The Thi added that although birth control pills have many uses, they still have certain side effects. Women should consult their doctor before using them.

Thanh Thuy

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