What Is Birth Control Good For?

Family Planning

Birth control comes in several different forms, including hormonal, sterilization and barrier methods. Some people also choose abstinence to prevent a pregnancy. Birth control allows a woman and a man the option to control when they decide they want to have children.

Hormonal methods include the pill, implant, patch or shot. These methods work by having the body absorb hormones such as progesterone or estrogen so as to prevent the egg from ovulating monthly. In some cases hormonal methods allow the cervical mucus to form a thick barrier so that sperm cannot breach through. It may also make the wall of the uterus thinner so that a fertilized egg is less likely to attach to the wall.

Barrier methods include condoms, which work to block the sperm from entering the woman's body. This may be used in conjunction with a spermicide to decrease the risk of pregnancy. A diaphragm is a type of barrier that a woman uses. It is placed over the cervix and helps prevent the sperm from reaching the egg.

Sterilization is a more permanent method of birth control. A woman can have a tubal ligation, where her tubes are tied or cauterized to prevent the eggs from being released during ovulation. Men can have a surgical procedure called a vasectomy. This is where a small portion of the tubes that carries sperm, the vas deferens, are snipped in order to prevent pregnancy.

Hormone Regulating

One of the most sought-after benefits of using birth control for women is a lighter period flow. Many women who experience heavy or irregular periods find that hormone methods like the Ortho Tri-Cyclen pill, Depo-Provera shot and the Ortho Evra patch help them stay regular. Some women who take the Depo-Provera shot and similar forms of hormonal birth control report only having their period a few times a year. Hormonal birth control may also help to reduce cramping and other premenstrual symptoms. This can be a benefit to many because they no longer have to miss work or school or hold off on important social events because of their troublesome premenstrual symptoms.

Acne

One way that birth control can be beneficial is by helping those with moderate-to-severe acne. The reason for this is that oftentimes estrogen can halt the production of androgens in the ovaries. Androgens are leading contributors to many forms of adult acne as they help activate the oil-producing glands in the body. This can lead to widespread bouts of acne outbreaks. Birth control may also help suppress the formation of norgestimate and desogestrel, which also play a major role in acne development. The only way for someone to see accurate results is to have a dermatologist determine if her acne is being caused strictly from hormone levels and fluctuations. If so, birth control pills such as Estrostep and Ortho Tri-Cyclen are the most popular forms of oral contraceptives that are used to help keep acne under control.