More Good than Bad
4th Dec 2018
Hormonal Contraceptives: Benefits outweigh short-term worries about side-effects
Unsure if hormonal contraceptives are worth taking for pregnancy prevention?
Unsure whether the benefits outweigh the worries about side effects?
If the answer to these questions is “yes.”
Yes, being on contraceptives does come with a few short-term side effects.
No, the side effects are not harmful, at least not typically.
Yes, the benefits of contraceptives outweigh short-term worries about the side effects.
This article will explain how and why this is.
Depending on which birth control method you are on, more or less all of them come with a few side effects.
But don’t worry, it is not all bad. They also come with benefits.
It is completely natural to stress and/or worry about the side effects of contraceptives, no one wants to go through unnecessary physical and emotional changes.
However, you will come to learn that the benefits of contraceptives outweigh these short-term worries. Having to potentially deal with a few side effects is a small price to pay if you do not want to get pregnant.
Benefits beyond pregnancy prevention
Apart from its main purpose of pregnancy prevention, contraceptives also have multiple substantial non-contraceptive health benefits for women.
A sigh of relief after reading this?
Phew.
Here are a few methods with their benefits beyond pregnancy prevention:
1. Method: combined oral contraceptives
Benefits:
- Lesser frequency of nausea and headache associated with use of OCPs
- Lower rate of menstrual irregularities, resulting in lighter and more predictable periods
- Reduced menstrual blood loss
- Reduced pre-existing acne and hirsutism (excessive hair-growth on the face, chest or back)
- Positive effect on mood
- Lowered cardiovascular risk associated with taking OCPs for women with hypertension
- Reduces menstrual cramps and bleeding problems
- May help protect against iron-deficiency anemia
2. Method: Levonorgestrel intrauterine device
Benefits:
- May help protect against endometrial and cervical cancer
- Reduces heavy monthly bleeding
- Reduces risk of ectopic pregnancy
3. Method: monthly injections
Benefits:
- Helps protect against endometrial cancer
- Helps protect against ovarian cancer
- Reduces menstrual cramps and bleeding problems
- May help protect against iron-deficiency anemia
All of these methods are hormonal methods of birth control.
As you can see, there are numerous benefits to these hormonal contraceptives that go beyond just pregnancy prevention.
If you are in the process of picking a contraceptive method and you are struggling and worried about the side effects, consult a doctor before making any decisions.
So those side effects that you are so worried about?
Don’t worry, there is more good than bad.
We hope this was a helpful read and lessened your worries.
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