3 Health Benefits of Birth Control
Choosing the right type of birth control takes planning and careful research. There are many different medications available and they can have many health benefits besides pregnancy prevention. Some could also have side effects. No type of birth control is best for everyone, and what’s ideal for you when you’re 18 might not work as well when you’re 36. To help you decide what you should use, here are some of the contraceptives with the best health benefits.
1. Stay on Schedule With Nuvaring
For an easy schedule, choose Nuvaring. It’s a flexible, plastic ring that you insert into your vagina. It releases the same hormones as many versions of the pill, estrogen, and progesterone, and it’s just as effective when you use it correctly. Nuvaring comes with an applicator like a tampon, and people shouldn’t be able to feel it during routine activities. Women use one ring per month. They can insert it for three weeks and then remove it during their menstrual cycle.
It will make most people’s periods lighter and could make them disappear completely. That way, you won’t have to remember to take a pill every day. Nuvaring can also make your periods more regular and reduce pain from cramping. However, smokers over 35 years old could have increased risks of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. If you’re breastfeeding, it could reduce the quality and amount of your milk. You could also pass some hormones on to your baby.
2. Minimize Hormones With Depo-SubQ Provera 104
This birth control shot doesn’t contain estrogen. Instead, it uses an active hormone, medroxyprogesterone, to mimic the body’s natural hormones and prevent the growth and release of an egg every month during ovulation. It uses less of the hormone than the original Depo Provera. Depo-SubQ Provera 104 also lowers the levels of hormones that are responsible for abnormal tissue growth in the uterus, helping to treat the symptoms of endometriosis.
The shot prevents pregnancy for up to three months, and you can inject it yourself into your stomach or upper thigh area. After your last injection, your fertility will return in nine to 10 months. Depo-SubQ Provera 104 is very reliable, but it’s not ideal for women who want to become pregnant soon.
You may also want to choose another alternative if you dislike needles or you have sensitive skin. Some people notice pain or a rash at the injection site, and you shouldn’t use it for more than two years because it can lead to a loss of bone density.
3. Prevent Acne With Yaz
Yaz is a birth control pill with estrogen and progestin. It’s FDA approved for treating acne and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe form of PMS. It only has four days of placebo pills, so it will shorten your period as well. However, you shouldn’t take it if you’re a smoker over 35 or breastfeeding. Inexpensive generic versions of this popular pill are available, and they contain the same medications.
There are lots of types of birth control available and some have different benefits than others. You should speak with a doctor to get a prescription for the contraception that’s healthiest and most convenient for you.
