Birth control is an important medication that many women take, but a lot of people—both women and men—seem to believe that birth control’s only purpose is to prevent pregnancy. While this is the primary function of this medication, many women take “the pill” for a variety of other purposes. Keep reading to learn about just a few other reasons why we may prescribe birth control at our obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Montgomery.
Women often experience irregular menstrual cycles, which can be caused by a number of things. For some women, their body just doesn’t have a natural rhythm for their periods, making it difficult to predict when one will begin. Other women have infrequent periods due to stress, low weight, or excessive exercise. No matter the cause of these irregular periods, birth control can help every woman have a regular, predictable period.
This makes living with menstrual cycles much easier, as women can anticipate when one will begin and end. That way, they’re less likely to be caught without the necessary hygiene products. For many women, this makes life much easier.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a medical condition that many women suffer from; it is a hormonal imbalance that can cause unpredictable menstrual cycles, acne, and excessive hair growth. As mentioned above, birth control can help to regulate menstrual cycles, but for those with PCOS, the pill can also control the other symptoms of PCOS. Many women taking birth control for PCOS find that their skin improves and hair growth is reduced after beginning to take this medication.
Cramps are a normal part of menstrual cycles for many girls and women. However, some experience cramping that’s so severe, it interferes with their ability to function normally. For several days a month, they may find themselves unable to even leave their homes, much less attend school or work. This is especially true of women who suffer from endometriosis, which causes debilitating cramps and pelvic pain during periods.
Birth control helps to reduce the cramping associated with periods, and can even be used to skip periods if desired, as to further avoid the discomfort. For these women, birth control pills make the difference between being able to function normally and being an invalid for several days during their periods.
Many teens suffer from acne to varying degrees. For those who suffer from severe acne, the search for a solution is often a desperate one. Creams, washes, ointments, and even medications are often prescribed to treat acne. However, for a lot of girls, the great majority of their acne is caused by a hormonal imbalance.
Birth control can help to regulate these hormones and improve the appearance of their skin. Though some may define this as merely a cosmetic use for birth control, for those with severe acne, it is a life-altering treatment.
Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a medical condition that is often brought on by radiation and chemotherapy treatments in women with cancer. It can also be caused by a number of genetic conditions, such as Turner Syndrome. POI is characterized by ovaries that don’t produce enough estrogen. This can lead to irregular menstruation, or it can completely halt menstrual cycles.
As in other situations, birth control can help to produce regular menstrual cycles in women who would otherwise have very few or no menstrual cycles. But more importantly, it can help to keep their bones healthy, as weakening bones can be another symptom of POI.
As you can see, birth control in Montgomery has many uses besides preventing pregnancy, and it is an important medication for women all around the world.