An unplanned pregnancy is one of the last things you want to worry about if you’re sexually active but aren’t ready for children. Fortunately, the birth control pill offers a safe, easy option for preventing pregnancy.
Getting on a birth control pill can have various benefits that apply to both your health and your lifestyle. Keep reading to learn a bit more.
It Can Prevent Pregnancy
The main benefit of a contraceptive pill is that it prevents pregnancy. A birth control pill is more than 99% effective at preventing an unwanted pregnancy when taken correctly. The pill is most effective if you take it at the same time each day and start your new packs on time.
You’ll still have protection if you skip a pill, but it will be at a decreased rate. If you happen to miss a pill, you should use a backup form of protection, such as a condom or emergency contraception.
It’s Convenient
The birth control pill is convenient. All you have to do is take it at the same time every day, and you’ll have one less thing to worry about during sex. Fortunately, the packages for birth control pills are quite small, often only the size of a credit card, so if you’re always on the go, it’s easy to keep your pack on you.
It Can Balance Out Your Cycle
Many women, including those who aren’t sexually active, take a birth control pill to help regulate their monthly cycles. The hormones in the pill that help prevent pregnancy can also lessen your menstrual cramps, lighten or eliminate your period, and decrease other PMS symptoms. Not only that, but you can also safely skip your period while on the pill. If you’re heading out on vacation, this feature can be handy.
In Can Decrease Risk of Certain Health Problems
Believe it or not, the birth control pill has a number of health benefits aside from preventing pregnancy. Some of the beneficial side effects of the birth control pill include the prevention of certain health problems, including iron deficiency, breast and ovarian cysts, and certain types of cancers. However, despite the decreased risk of these conditions, you should still get yearly checkups to lower your risk even more.
It Won’t Make it Harder to Have Kids Later On
Say you’ve been on a hormonal birth control pill for ten years and have decided it’s time to get pregnant. Fortunately, all you have to do is simply stop taking your pill, and you can start trying for a baby right away. Although it might take some time for your cycle to revert to its regular patterns, your chance of pregnancy will increase significantly within the first few days of stopping the pill.
If you think the birth control pill might be right for you, be sure to talk to your doctor right away. Your OB can give you information on the different brands and dosages. Together, you can decide which pill option is right for you.