What are the benefits of birth control pills and their side effects? Birth control pills are a type of contraception that is considered effective in preventing pregnancy. Regular use will prevent pregnancy by 99%. However, apart from its many benefits, birth control pills also have side effects. Check out the benefits of birth control pills and the following side effects.
There are two types of birth control pills, namely combination pills and minipills.
What are the types of birth control pills?
Birth control pills are a type of contraception used to prevent pregnancy. Birth control pills are claimed to be effective in preventing pregnancy by 99% if taken regularly. There are two types of birth control pills, namely the combination pill and the minipill.
Combination pills contain synthetic hormones, estrogen and progestin. Meanwhile, this second type only contains the hormone progestin. The minipill is generally recommended for those who are breastfeeding, have a history of stroke disease, and should not take estrogen. Therefore, before consuming it is important to consult a doctor to get the right recommendations.
Also Read: About Male and Female Condoms: Differences and Benefits
How do birth control pills work?
Birth control pills work by affecting the hormones estrogen and progesterone in the body. The ingredients in birth control pills will prevent pregnancy by:
- Stopping or reducing the release of eggs from the ovaries
- Thickens cervical mucus to prevent sperm from entering the uterus and fertilizing the egg.
- Thinning the lining of the uterus so that a fertilized egg has less chance of attaching and developing.
What Are the Benefits of Birth Control Pills and Side Effects for Health?
Apart from being a contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. Birth control pills can also be used to treat other health problems, such as the following:
1. Helps Menstruate More Regularly
Cycle irregular menstruation usually occurs due to reproductive hormone disorders. Taking birth control pills can help with this problem. Birth control pills work by balancing reproductive hormones in the body.
2. Makes Menstruation Painless
Ovulation causes the uterus experience contractions, so some people will experience cramps or pain in the stomach during menstruation. For some people, this condition can be very painful and cause discomfort. One of the benefits of birth control pills is to reduce ovulation. This condition will affect the process of shedding the uterine lining thereby reducing or eliminating the pain.
3. Overcome Acne
Hormonal fluctuations during menstruation are often the cause of pimples. This happens because unstable hormones cause an increase in sebum. Sebum is an oil that is regulated and produced by hormones. That’s why, many women complain pimples appear while menstruating. The benefits of birth control pills in balancing reproductive hormones will affect the sebum production process. Therefore, you can use birth control pills as a way to deal with acne. However, before consuming it, be sure to consult a doctor first.
Also Read: Positive Signs of Pregnancy
4. Reducing the Risk of Some Types of Cancer
The next benefit of birth control pills is that they can reduce the risk of developing several types of cancer, including uterine cancer and ovarian cancer. Several types of cancer in women are thought to be related to ovulation during menstruation. That is why birth control pills are considered to reduce the risk of several types of cancer due to their benefits in reducing ovulation.
5. Reducing the Risk of Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts are small fluid-filled sacs that form on the ovaries during ovulation. Cysts are generally harmless. But sometimes it can be painful. Women with PCOS often have large numbers of cysts on their ovaries. In this case, birth control pills are useful for stopping the ovulation process, so they can prevent it ovarian cyst formation. In addition, birth control pills are also considered to be able to stop cysts from growing back.
6. Relieves PMS and PMDD Symptoms
Many women experience some mix of physical or emotional symptoms leading up to their period. This condition is generally referred to as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). In addition, some people can also experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Premenstrual dysphoric (PMDD) is a severe type of PMS that causes emotional and psychological problems and is often difficult to treat. Like most other menstrual problems, PMS and PMDD result from hormonal fluctuations during menstruation. The existence, birth control pills can be used as medicine to overcome this problem because it can balance reproductive hormones.
7. Helps Overcome Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition that occurs due to the endometrium grows outside the uterus. During the menstrual cycle, the endometrium will bleed, including those that grow outside the uterus. This condition can cause considerable pain and inflammation. Birth control pills that contain reproductive hormones will help relax the ovaries, thereby reducing the friction or stimulation that causes pain during menstruation.
Also Read: Preventing Miscarriage in Pregnant Mothers
8. Overcoming Migraines Due to Menstruation
Migraine is one of the great headache that almost everyone experiences. However, compared to men, women experience this disease more often, especially before menstruation. This condition occurs due to a decrease in the hormones estrogen and progesterone in the body which triggers migraines. Therefore, many women complain of migraine headaches before menstruation. You can use birth control pills to treat migraines due to menstruation. However, be sure to ask your doctor before consuming it.
9. Reducing the Risk of Anemia
In some women, menstruation can cause heavy bleeding to make quite a lot of blood come out. If left unchecked, this condition can increase the risk of developing anemia. Anemia can be bothersome the process of distributing oxygen throughout the body. Those who take birth control pills regularly can help reduce the risk of anemia. This is because the content of progesterone and estrogen in birth control pills can help suppress bleeding that occurs during menstruation.
10. Overcoming PCOS Disease
Polycystic ovary syndrome (POCS) occurs when there is a hormonal imbalance in which the ovaries produce too much testosterone. This condition can cause irregular menstrual cycles, unwanted hair growth, and acne. Taking birth control pills can help treat the symptoms that arise from PCOS. Birth control pills work by balancing hormones, lowering testosterone levels, and regulating menstruation.
Hormonal fluctuations during menstruation are often the cause of pimples.
What are the side effects of birth control pills?
Birth control pills are generally safe for most women to consume, but some women can experience side effects from taking birth control pills. Potential side effects that are felt include:
1. Experiencing Blood Spots
Spotting blood or bleeding is a common side effect in the first three months of using birth control pills. This condition occurs because the body is adjusting hormone levels to make it more balanced. Likewise, the uterus adjusts itself by making a thinner layer so that the fetus does not easily attach and develop.
2. Stomach Feels Nauseous
At the beginning of use, some people may experience nausea. This is still relatively common and usually goes away on its own after some time.
3. Pain or Swelling of the Breasts
Taking birth control pills also sometimes causes pain in the breast, especially when just using it. This condition can go away on its own. You can reduce this pain by reducing your intake of caffeine and salt and using a bra that fits your breast size so it doesn’t put too much pressure on you.
Also Read: Overcoming Colds in Pregnant Women
4. Headache and Migraine
The hormone content in the pill can cause changes in reproductive hormones (estrogen and progesterone), which can trigger headaches and migraines. However, the symptoms that appear depend on the dose and type of pill taken.
5. Weight Gain
Birth control pills are claimed to increase fluid retention, which can lead to weight gain. In addition, birth control pills can also cause an increase in fat and muscle mass.
6. Changes in Mood or Mood
Birth control pills work by affecting the hormones in the body, so they can cause changes in mood or mood.
7. Whiteness
Birth control pills work by increasing the level of the hormone estrogen in the body, so that it can trigger the growth of yeast cause of infection and vaginal discharge.
8. Decreased sex drive
In theory, the content of the hormones estrogen and progesterone in birth control pills can reduce libido, which affects decreased sex drive. However, these side effects still depend on the dose, duration of use and method of birth control.
Side effects that appear can occur as a result of not being compatible with certain types of birth control pills. So, choose the type of birth control pill that suits your body condition to avoid side effects.
Knowing the benefits of birth control pills and their side effects is useful for those of you who want to take them. However, before taking birth control pills, be sure to consult a doctor to be safer. So many reviews about the benefits of birth control pills and side effects for health. Hope it is useful.
Has been reviewed by dr. SonyPrabowo
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