More than 80% of American women use some form of hormonal contraception during their reproductive years. But, do you really know what these hormones can do? Since their introduction in 1960, birth control pills (and the patches, injections, vaginal rings and implants that followed) have helped women in so many other ways besides preventing pregnancy. Some of the benefits that have been discovered with hormonal contraceptive use:

·         Menstrual cycle regulation

·         Treatment of menorrhagia (heavy periods, often with clots)

·         Treatment of dysmenorrhea (painful periods)

·         Stopping periods all together to improve lifestyle

·         Treatment of PMS

·         Prevention of menstrual migraines

·         Decreasing the risk of endometrial, ovarian and colorectal cancer

·         Treatment of acne

·         Treatment of hirsutism (excessive growth of body or facial hair)

·         Improved bone mineral density

·         Treatment of pelvic pain due to endometriosis

Your doctor should look at your lifestyle, medical conditions, and goals for treatment before deciding which method of birth control is right for you. Maybe you have PCOS with painful irregular periods, acne and some extra hair growth…a birth control pill taken continuously (with no placebos) may be just right for you. Or maybe you have an irregular schedule and don’t plan on having children any time soon…an IUD might be much more convenient. Speak to your doctor about your options. Make your birth control multi-task as well as you do!