Other Uses of Oral Contraceptives

As any woman knows, oral contraceptives are a popular form of birth control. But what you may not know is that oral contraceptives are also often used for treating conditions associated with female reproductive health. The hormones that make up birth control-- estrogen and progestin (a synthetic form of progesterone)-- are the hormones that are associated with female sexuality. They control a wide number of functions within the female hormonal system.

By controlling a woman's estrogen and progesterone levels with oral contraceptives, a gynecologist can help women manage various conditions:

Endometriosis: Endometriosis occurs when tissue like that which lines the uterus, called endometrium, grows outside its normal area of the inside of the uterus. The endometrial growths, which occur mostly in the pelvic region, can cause women to have severe pain associated with periods, and can also cause infertility. A doctor may prescribe either a combination pill or a progestin only pill as a way to help lessen periods and stop the overgrowth of endometrial tissue.

PMS: Premenstrual syndrome can be extreme for some women causing errant mood swings, bloating, and cramping. An OB/GYN or other well woman provider may prescribe oral contraceptives to women with sever PMS as a way to regulate hormone levels and thus hopefully alleviate PMS symptoms.

Heavy Periods: Heavy periods, when a woman continuously soaks through a pad or tampon in two to three hours, can cause quality of life issues including tiredness and lack of energy. Oral contraceptives can reduce or even diminish the amount of blood a woman losses each month.

Endometrial Hyperplasia: This condition occurs when the lining of the uterus becomes abnormally thick. This thickening of the lining happens because of low levels of progesterone in the body that regulate the thickness of the uterine lining. Thus one treatment for endometrial hyperplasia is to take a progestin only oral contraceptive. Endometrial hyperplasia can sometimes lead to cancer of the uterus if left unchecked. Taking progestin- through an oral contraceptive, shot, or IUD-can ensure that cancer does not form and can prevent a future hysterectomy.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is caused by a hormonal imbalance in which the ovaries produce too many of a hormone called androgen. The overproduction of androgen can cause ovarian cysts and period irregularity. Untreated polycystic ovaries can lead to breast or endometrial cancer, and can potentially cause infertility. Both combination and progestin only pills may be used to treat the symptoms of PCOS.

Birth control pills are a popular form of contraception, but they can also provide a myriad of health benefits to women struggling with conditions caused by hormonal imbalances. A yearly visit to your gynecologist can ensure that you and your provider catch such conditions early and treat them successfully.