Contraceptives are widely known to offer protection from unplanned pregnancy. Condoms not only aid in family planning but can also protect against the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Although the prevention of pregnancy and the avoidance of STD's are typically the primary functions of contraceptives, some types of contraceptives can also treat an array of other health concerns. Most of these conditions are gynecological. The use of some contraceptives also reduces the risk of select diseases, as well as providing other benefits and conveniences. The Mayo Clinic lists eight non-pregnancy-related medical conditions that can be treated with progestin and estrogen oral contraceptives.
Amenorrhea
Amenorrhea is a condition in which menses cease for several months consecutively. This condition can result from a wide variety of issues, including low body weight, excessive exercise and stress. However, the causes that might benefit from contraceptive use are limited to polycystic ovarian syndrome and hypothalamic disorder. In these cases, a hormonal contraceptive containing both estrogen and progesterone can help to restore a more normal cycle.
Dysmenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea is the term used to describe extremely painful menstrual cramping, a condition that affects up to 90% of young women, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The use of hormonal contraceptives (mainly estrogen birth control pills, the Depo-Provera shot and the intrauterine device known as Mirena) seems to reduce the body's release of prostaglandin during menstruation. This results in considerably less menstrual pain, as was described by Linda French, M.D. from the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.
Hypermenorrhea and Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding
Excessive bleeding during menstruation, known as hypermenorrhea, and dysfunctional or abnormal uterine bleeding, unusual bleeding during menstruation or bleeding between periods, can also be treated through the use of hormonal contraceptives. Both of these conditions are frequently caused by the appearance of uterine fibroids.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrial tissue, which should grow within the uterus and be shed during menstruation, grows outside the uterus. Abdominal and pelvic pain are often present with this condition throughout the course of the entire month. While the use of hormonal contraceptives cannot cure endometriosis, it can help to control the pain and unusual bleeding that the condition might cause.
Hirsutism
Hirsutism in women is essentially male-like or excessive growth of hair. Treatment with an estrogen-progesterone contraceptive pill can reduce this undesirable hair growth because both of these female hormones significantly reduce the body's production of the male hormone androgen.
Ovarian Hyperandrogenism
Ovarian hyperandrogenism is a condition in which the ovaries produce excess male hormones. Small amounts of male hormones are normal in women, but too much can result in problems like infertility. This hormonal imbalance can be successfully regulated using estrogen-progesterone contraceptives by suppressing androgen production.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
A condition in which the ovaries contain multiple cysts, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) often prevents proper hormone production. Untreated PCOS can lead to many problems, such as infertility, amenorrhea and weight gain. Estrogen-progesterone forms of birth control pills can often assist in restoring the body's normal hormonal balance.
Other Treatments and Benefits
M. Dayal and K.T. Barnhart with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center in Philadelphia, state that there is evidence to suggest that the use of hormonal contraceptives can decrease a woman's chances of developing certain cancers, specifically ovarian, endometrial and colorectal cancers. In fact, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology suggests that the longer a woman is on a hormonal birth control pill, the greater her protection against ovarian and endometrial cancers will be. Dayal and Barnhart also mention a greater protection against breast diseases, ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy implanted outside the uterus, usually in the Fallopian tube), and pelvic inflammatory disease. Bone mineral density, uterine fibroids and even acne can also be positively affected by the use of hormonal contraceptives.
