Hormonal contraceptives refer to any form of birth control that contains hormones, like a combination of estrogen and progesterone, or only progesterone. The Women's Health Channel and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) lists the birth control pill, patch, injection, vaginal ring, implant and intrauterine device (IUD) as types of hormonal contraceptives. Besides preventing pregnancy, these types of hormonal contraceptives can help with period regulation, disease prevention, acne treatment and other health issues.
Period Regulation
One of the off-label uses of hormonal contraceptives is period regulation. The hormones in the contraceptive, according to the ACOG, can treat menorrhagia (excessive menstrual bleeding) and dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain). Women can also change their menstrual cycle with the hormones; for example, the user can move when she takes her non-hormonal pills, thus altering when her period will occur. Other menstruation-related benefits of hormonal contraceptives are a decrease in menstrual migraines and lighter periods.
Disease Prevention
The ACOG reports that the hormones in birth control can protect women from developing certain diseases. In particular, the estrogen and progesterone can provide protection against endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterine lining), ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer. The decreased risk of developing endometrial and ovarian cancer lasts up to 20 years after the woman has stopped using the hormonal birth control; the colorectal cancer protection only exists for current and recent users.
Acne Treatment
Another non-contraceptive benefit of hormonal contraceptives, according to the Women's Health Channel, is acne treatment. The ACOG notes that this is due to the estrogen and progesterone limiting production of androgen, a male hormone. The androgen suppression also helps with decreasing excessive hair growth in women.
Other Benefits
The ACOG states that Yaz, a specific birth control pill, reduces the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a type of depressive disorder that affects women the week before their period. Hormonal contraceptives also treat pelvic pain from endometriosis and bleeding from uterine fibroids. The Women's Health Channel adds that the hormones can help reduce bone loss from aging.
