There are several organizations and political parties that are not only attempting to restrict access to abortion, but are also trying to impede women’s rights to birth control pills. Though many politicians involved have no idea what they’re talking about in terms of women’s reproductive rights, anti-contraceptive groups insist that birth control is unnatural, anti-life, and promotes promiscuous behavior without fear of consequence.
These groups don’t seem to realize that many women use birth control for reasons other than pregnancy prevention. A 2011 study shows that 58% of women are using birth control for other reasons. Listed below are the seven most common reasons that people who menstruate use “The Pill” other than pregnancy prevention.
1. Acne
There is a high correlation between hormone fluctuations and pimples, especially if one already suffers from bad acne. Acne is mostly triggered by an excess of sebum, an oil made by skin glands. Sebum can clog pores and promote bacterial growth, which results in painful acne.
So how does this involve hormones? Ovaries and adrenal glands generally produce low levels of androgens, which spike to high levels of androgens during the premenstrual period. The higher the androgen levels, the more sebum produced. However, taking birth control pills with estrogen and progesterone lowers the amount of androgens produced. Less androgens=less sebum=less acne. Birth control can be a relief to those with uncomfortable acne.
Acne looks awfully uncomfortable, no?
2. Menstrual Cramps
If you don’t menstruate, you might not realize how much cramps can hinder women. Cramps often feel like a tightened ache in the lower abdomen, upper thighs, and lower back that flare up throughout menstruation and pre-menstruation. While some menstruaters don’t get cramps, others have them so bad that it renders them immobile, causing them severe pain and nausea. Some women have compared their cramping pain to that of kidney stones and appendix ruptures.
The reason that birth control helps with these cramps is that they decrease prostaglandin production. Prostaglandins are bodily chemicals produced to contract the uterus. With fewer contractions, the cramping isn’t as severe.
3. Heavy Menstrual Flow (Menorrhagia)
Heavy menstrual flow is massively inconvenient. It’s very expensive because individuals with heavy flow have to buy more pads and tampons. There’s also caution involved; period blood is very difficult to get out of clothes. The “white pants” stereotype is 100% accurate. Menorrhagia is also associated with painful periods, though not always.
This is where birth control steps in, helping to save both money and clothing from the wrath of uterine blood. The progesterone in birth control pills helps thin the uterine lining. This can prevent the amount of blood lost up to 40% percent less. There are also pills available that reduce period frequency to just once every three months, or once a year.
4. Irregular Period Management
On average, the time between periods ranges from every 21 to 35 days. However, for some women, the time between periods can be less than 20 days. This can lead to severe acne, frequent headaches, bloating, nausea, and anemia. On the other end of the spectrum are women who have more than 35 days between periods, with no regularity. Some go many months without getting their period at all.
Both of these occurrences result in difficulty getting pregnant, and can make their periods more intense. Both ends of the spectrum are a result of irregular amounts of estrogen being produced by the body. The pill is a steady, consistent amount of estrogen and progesterone, and the body regulates menstruation occurrences in accordance with what the pill dictates.
Irregular periods have no schedule
5. PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)
PMS happens in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, a few days before menstruation begins. PMS side effects include insomnia, fatigue, bloating, acne, depression, appetite changes, and radical mood swings. In some cases, PMS can progress to premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which can be detrimental to every day function.
Even standard PMS can interfere with everyday life: normal daily routine can be hard with the physical and mental effects of PMS. PMS results from the hormone swings that come with menstruation. Luckily, the steady quantity of hormones that the birth control pill provides some relief, as the body reacts less severely when hormones spike to cause menstruation.
6. Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a disease that causes the uterine lining to grow on the outside of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Doctors don’t know what causes endometriosis, but they know the side effects. Those included are severe cramps, heavy period flow, infertility, fatigue, painful urination and bowel movements during periods, diarrhea and nausea, and frequent yeast infections.
A lot of these problems are assuaged by birth control. Because birth control thins out the uterine lining, it significantly decreases the side effects of endometriosis. In some cases, hormones can cause the uterine lining to thin out so much that it will temporarily stop growing on the outside of the reproductive organs.
7. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Cystadenomas
Polycystic ovarian syndrome occurs when the eggs that grow on the ovaries are not released when they come to maturity, or are not released after cell death. Cystadenomas occur when fluid-filled cysts develop upon the ovaries.
Ovarian cysts cause side effects such as severe pain, infertility, weight gain, acne, thinning hair, anxiety or depression, and sleep disturbances. Because birth control pills prevent ovaries from releasing eggs, nothing grows on the surface of the ovaries, and therefore minimal cysts grow. This relieves pain and symptoms.
A nice thing about these alternative reasons for taking birth control is that you don’t have to adhere to as strict of a timeline when taking the Pill. Most users have to take it at the same time every day, but these instances don’t require that. There are several other reasons why women might use birth control pills, though they are not as prevalent motives.
However, 42% of women use birth control pills for pregnancy prevention, and there is nothing wrong with that. Birth control is relatively safe and effective both for contraception and for the reasons listed above. Birth control is frequently evaluated for efficacy and safety, and you have to obtain it through a doctor to ensure that you’re taking the pill properly.
Your body, your choice
Regardless of your reasons for taking the Pill, you are within your right to do so. You are not immoral, and you are not a slut. Please don’t let anyone make you feel bad about using the Pill, though if you are using it for birth control, you might want to consider doubling up with condoms for extra protection and STD prevention.
