During my time as a fourth-year medical student, I saw someone come to the Mayo Clinic for a problem with headaches. I thought there would be a discussion about using medicines to stop the headaches or even prevent them. So I was surprised when that individual walked out with a prescription for birth control pills.
You may have heard that some birth control methods also can treat medical conditions. Birth control methods that fall under the category of hormonal birth control are frequently used this way. This is because hormones can help control or relieve some symptoms and even treat some conditions.
Combination birth control pills have both estrogen and a progestogen, and there are many kinds available. There also are birth control pills that contain only progestogen, but this article focuses exclusively on those with estrogen and progestogen.
Some intrauterine devices (IUDs) come in hormonal versions, though nonhormonal types also exist. Mirena, Skyla and Liletta are brand names of commonly used IUDs containing the hormone levonorgestrel.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved some birth control methods for uses beyond just preventing pregnancy. Health care providers also sometimes prescribe birth control off-label. Using a medicine off-label means that although the FDA has not approved the medicine specifically for that medical condition, research has shown it to be safe and effective.
Hormonal forms of birth control can be considered for the following conditions:
- Acne. Several birth control pills are FDA approved to treat acne — including the drospirenone- and ethinyl estradiol-containing brands Yaz and Beyaz. The specific progestogens in these products decrease the hormone testosterone, which is involved in acne formation.
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Beyond irritating cramps and discomfort with periods, these conditions cause distressing symptoms such as mood swings, breast tenderness and bloating. Beyaz and Yaz are approved to treat PMDD.
- Heavy periods. The dienogest and estradiol birth control pill (Natazia) is approved to treat heavy periods. The Mirena IUD also is FDA-approved for heavy periods and works by maintaining a thin uterine lining throughout the menstrual cycle.
- Endometriosis. The medroxyprogesterone injection brand Depo-SubQ Provera 104, also known as the shot, is a progestogen-only birth control method that is injected every three months. This is FDA approved to treat pain caused endometriosis. In this condition, tissue similar to the tissue lining the uterus grows elsewhere in the pelvis. Mirena IUD is frequently used off-label for endometriosis.
- Painful periods. By preventing ovulation, birth control pills decrease the level of natural chemicals called prostaglandins that make the uterus contract during a period. Less contracting means less painful cramps.
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Birth control pills are helpful for treating PCOS because they regulate hormones, control periods and lessen period pain. As an added bonus, they decrease the acne and unwanted hair growth often present in people with PCOS.
- Menstrual migraine. Taking birth control pills continuously, which means taking active hormone pills and skipping the placebo pills, is a well-recognized treatment for menstrual migraine. In people who have menstrual migraine, the fluctuations of estrogen throughout a monthly cycle trigger migraines. When taken continuously, birth control pills keep estrogen levels stable in the body and prevent headache-inducing dips.
- Perimenopause. Taking birth control pills can relieve symptoms of the transition to menopause including hot flashes, mood swings, irregular periods and heavy bleeding. Birth control pills also can help maintain bone health, which can be a concern after menopause.
- Cancer risk reduction. People at high risk of ovarian or endometrial cancer because of their family history or genetics can use birth control pills to reduce their risk by up to 50%!
For people who want to prevent pregnancy and treat one of the many conditions mentioned above, hormonal birth control can be a good option.
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