Contraceptives are popularly used to prevent pregnancy, but most people don’t realize that they can also provide a host of health benefits.

Not only do contraceptives allow women to plan their families, but they can also play a crucial role in preventing and treating various medical conditions. Here are some unexpected ways contraceptives can improve your health.

1. Preventing Unintended Pregnancy

The most well-known benefit of contraceptives is that they help prevent unintended pregnancy.

It’s estimated that half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended, which can lead to medical complications and socioeconomic challenges for women and their families. Birth control pills, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and hormonal implants are all highly effective methods of preventing pregnancy.

2. Regulating Menstruation

Birth control methods that contain hormones can help regulate menstrual cycles and reduce heavy bleeding and menstrual cramps.

Hormonal methods can also help reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which can include mood swings, fatigue, and bloating.

3. Managing Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Endometriosis and PCOS are common conditions that affect women’s reproductive health. Endometriosis is a painful disorder in which tissue that normally grows inside the uterus grows outside of it, causing pain, bleeding, and infertility.

PCOS is a hormonal disorder that can cause irregular periods, acne, weight gain, and infertility. Hormonal contraceptives can help manage the symptoms of both conditions by regulating hormones that cause them.

4. Reducing the Risk of Ovarian and Endometrial Cancers

Women who use hormonal contraceptives, especially those that contain progestin, have a lower risk of developing ovarian and endometrial cancers. These cancers are often linked to higher levels of estrogen, which is regulated by hormonal contraceptives.

5. Preventing Acne

Birth control pills that contain a combination of estrogen and progestin can help prevent acne. This is because these hormones can regulate the production of sebum, a natural oil that can clog pores and cause breakouts.

6. Managing Migraines

Women who experience migraines with aura, a visual disturbance that often accompanies migraines, can benefit from using hormonal contraceptives.

Hormonal contraceptives can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines with aura, which can be debilitating for many women.

7. Treating Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Pelvic inflammatory disease is a bacterial infection that affects the female reproductive organs. Left untreated, it can lead to infertility and chronic pelvic pain.

Hormonal contraceptives can help reduce the risk of PID by thickening cervical mucus, which makes it harder for bacteria to reach the uterus.

8. Protecting Against Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

While hormonal contraceptives don’t protect against STIs, barrier methods such as condoms can help prevent the spread of these infections. Using a condom during sex can reduce the risk of contracting STIs, including HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.

9. Treating Fibroids

Fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in the uterus and can cause heavy or painful periods, abdominal pain, and infertility. Hormonal contraceptives can help control the growth and symptoms of fibroids.

10. Improving Overall Quality of Life

The ability to plan and space pregnancies can have a significant impact on a woman’s quality of life.

By preventing unintended pregnancy, women can pursue educational and career opportunities, care for their existing children, and take care of their own health needs. Additionally, hormonal contraceptives can provide relief from a range of medical conditions, which can improve overall well-being.

Conclusion

Contraceptives offer a range of health benefits beyond preventing unintended pregnancy.

By regulating hormones, preventing infections, and managing various medical conditions, contraceptives play a crucial role in improving women’s reproductive and overall health. If you’re interested in using contraceptives for their health benefits, talk to your healthcare provider to find the method that’s right for you.