I’ve been talking about birth control for nearly a year now with the wonderful folks at Own Every Piece and UT School of Public Health.
I thought this was a really important topic for my audience (and you guys have shown up for it). Before I started taking birth control, I had lots of myths swirling around in my mind because of what I’d heard at church and from my friends. It wasn’t until I went to the doctor and started having the medical discussion that I really understood the benefits for me.
The Own Every Piece campaign is about the ways in which women can educate themselves on what options we have when it comes to sexual health, and specifically birth control. And that’s the most important part.
To me, no matter where you stand, it’s important to be educated with your health.
Birth control is a huge conversation when it comes to sexual health and there are many myths about what birth control does, who can take it, and why.
Birth control isn’t a one size fits all kind of choice. Here are just five interesting reasons women use birth control.
1) To prevent pregnancy
The most obvious use of birth control is to prevent pregnancy. Women who have made the decision to use birth control sometimes do so with the intention of not getting pregnant.
2) To ease the pain that comes with gynecologic disorders
Sometimes gynecologic disorders like endometriosis, fibroids, PCOS can cause unbearable pain for women. Birth control often helps to regulate periods, and make them less painful and also ease the side effects of some of these conditions.
3) To be able to have a safe pregnancy when you’re ready
This is a big reason for me and a very personal one. I want to get pregnant someday (like in the next year or two – I’m swiftly approaching 30). My husband and I both have had the conversation about babies, but in a visit with my doctor, I learned that some of the medication I take to control my type 2 diabetes is actually harmful to pregnancy and could cause miscarriages and birth defects. I want the best shot at a healthy pregnancy, so I’m taking birth control to avoid the complications of pregnancy as I get my blood sugar in target ranges. Right now I’m on my third year of nexplanon. I have to make the decision to either get another implant or try something else if we’re not ready to try at the end of this year.
4) To regulate hormones
Some women use birth control to regulate hormones. There are lots of reasons your hormones can get out of whack, but some birth control methods can help you realign.
5) Reducing the risk for certain gynecologic cancers
According to Healthline, “hormonal birth control also has some long-term benefits. Women who take combination birth control pills are 50 percent less likely to get uterine cancer. and effects can last for up to 20 years after you stop taking the pill.”
No matter why you use birth control, the decision is a personal one that’s up to you. If you’re in Houston, visit OwnEveryPiece.org for resources on talking to trusted doctors about your plans.
