Can I take the pill for medical reasons?
Doctors commonly prescribe oral contraceptives (i.e. the birth control pill) for menstrual abnormalities:
regulating periods
hypermenorrhea (heavy periods)
polymenorrhea (frequent periods)
amenorrhea (lack of menstruation)
menorrhagia (excessive bleeding during periods)
dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps)
PMS (premenstrual syndrome).
The birth control pill wasn’t designed to treat these conditions. It was designed to take control of the body’s natural hormonal functioning (by suppressing the reproductive system) and to prepare the body to reject pregnancy. Therefore, the pill only treats the symptoms and does nothing to address the problem or cause itself. Not only does the pill just treat the symptoms, it increases the risk of bacterial infections, cervical cancer, endometriosis and infertility, to name a few (read the insert in a packet of birth control pills to see how many risks and complications are possible).
It’s important that you educate yourself about your options. Ask your doctor lots of questions. An evaluation by a physician, including, but not limited to a pelvic examination, is necessary to determine the cause of the symptoms. Taking the pill without knowing what is causing your menstrual abnormality may only disguise the problem and make it worse.
There’s simply no need to be on the birth control pill-for menstrual abnormalities or any reason.
For more information contact:
The Pope Paul VI Institute Physicians, P.C.
6901 Mercy Road
Omaha, NE 68106
402-390-6600