7 Totally Valid Reasons To Be On The Pill | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

7 Totally Valid Reasons To Be On The Pill

Nobody has time to sit around waiting to start their period.

190
7 Totally Valid Reasons To Be On The Pill
Wayne Women's Clinic

Birth control, in any form, is a magical thing. Who wants to be worried about getting pregnant every time they're getting busy? Nobody does. Today we're talking specifically about oral contraception: the pill. In high school everybody made a big deal out of taking birth control pills, and in many ways, the pill was surrounded by a negative stigma. There was this idea that if a girl was on the pill, she's obviously sleeping with every guy at school right? Wrong! Women choose to take birth control pills for many different health reasons, none of which are the business of anybody but her and her doctor. Even if a woman is on the pill to prevent unwanted pregnancies, it's still not your business!

1. To make your menstrual cycle predictable

In theory, a woman should have her period once a month (about every 28 days), but that doesn't always happen. Women can miss periods for all sorts of reasons including changing hormones, changes in exercise regimen, and stress. Even if a girl has a regular cycle, the exact day she will start her period is hard to pinpoint. Who's trying to wear pads for an extra three days waiting to start? Nobody.

2. To relieve cramps

I think most of us already knew this, but let's look at some facts from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). According to the ASRM, cramps are caused by contractions in the uterus, due to the production of a chemical called prostaglandin. Basically, if you produce a lot of prostaglandin, your cramps are worse. Wondering what can help with nasty cramps that make some of us want to stay in bed all day? You guessed it, birth control pills!

3. To control acne

Hormones can cause acne, but they can also control it. Most girls I know started taking the pill to control acne in high school, and they're certainly not complaining about the other benefits of birth control.

4. To relieve heavy bleeding

Back to the ASRM we go to explain how the pill can reduce bleeding. Birth control pills contain a hormone that mimics progesterone, which helps make the lining of the uterus thinner. Thinner uterine lining = lighter flow = happy woman.

5. To avoid unwanted pregnancy

That's right, I'm not leaving this one out. Because it's SUPER important! According to Planned Parenthood, perfect use of the pill is 99% effective. Planned Parenthood does warn us that most people will not perfectly use the pill, which means that the pill is really only about 91% effective, but that's still pretty good! If you're still worried about getting pregnant, using a condom is a good idea, but there's nothing wrong with choosing the pill as your primary form of birth control. (P.S. Friendly reminder that birth control does not protect agaisnt STIs, but condoms do!)

6. To treat endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition in which a woman's uterine tissue starts to grow, well, outside of her uterus. It's painful, and it makes periods hell.

7. To prevent iron deficiency

Believe it or not, a lot of women experience fatigue during or right after their period because of an iron deficiency. Women who take birth control pills are less likely to experience this since the pill can decrease bleeding, therefore decreasing the amount of iron lost.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

2079
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1257
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

200483
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

21066
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments