Hormonal Contraception Relieves Some Reproductive Conditions
Some hormonal contraceptive methods can help relieve menstrual-related disorders and other reproductive conditions or symptoms related to those conditions. Multiple studies find evidence of the effects listed below, and the benefits are nearly universal for all formulations and for all women.1
Combined Oral Contraceptives
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- May help protect against iron-deficiency anemia by reducing monthly bleeding (53, 99).
- Reduces the following:
- Amount of monthly bleeding (18, 92, 141).
- Dysmenorrhea (cramps that come with monthly bleeding) (29, 33, 92).
- Menstrual bleeding problems such as menorrhagia (prolonged or excessive menstrual bleeding) (33, 74) and dysfunctional uterine bleeding (a diagnosis of exclusion that is made only after ruling out all other possible causes of abnormal bleeding) (36).
- Acne (72).
- Pain at the time of ovulation (when an egg is released from the ovary) (77).
- Excess hair on face or body (20).
- Symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome (irregular bleeding, acne, excess hair on face or body), a condition caused by a hormonal imbalance that prevents ovulation and is characterized by many cysts forming on the ovaries (20, 142).
- Symptoms of endometriosis (pelvic pain, irregular bleeding), a condition in which tissue that normally lines the uterus is present in abnormal locations, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and abdominal cavity (140).
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Extended or Continuous Use of Combined Oral Contraceptives
Extended use is taking combined hormonal pills for 12 or more weeks without a break, followed by a week of nonhormonal pills or no pills. This reduces the number of monthly bleeding episodes to four or fewer each year. Continuous use is taking combined hormonal pills without any break at all to avoid monthly bleeding altogether.
- May help protect against iron-deficiency anemia by reducing monthly bleeding (144).
- Relieves menstrual migraines (127, 144).
- Helps reduce symptoms of endometriosis (pelvic pain, irregular bleeding) (41, 140, 144).
- Used for treating:
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Progestin-Only Injectables (DMPA and NET-EN)
- May help protect against iron-deficiency anemia by reducing monthly bleeding (69, 70, 131).
- DMPA reduces symptoms of endometriosis (pelvic pain, irregular bleeding) (115, 139, 145).
- DMPA may help reduce:
- Menorrhagia (79).
- Dysmenorrhea (79).
- Symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, a range of physical and emotional symptoms that some women experience before their menstrual periods (79).
Implants
- May help protect against iron-deficiency anemia by reducing monthly bleeding (52).
- May help reduce symptoms of endometriosis (pelvic pain) (160).
Hormonal Levonorgestrel-Releasing IUD
- Used for treating menorrhagia (8, 31, 73, 130).
- Increases blood iron levels over time (8, 111, 122, 123); helps protect against anemia (50).
- Used as the progestin component of menopausal hormone therapy—medication containing hormones, commonly an estrogen plus progestin, to treat symptoms of menopause. Used in place of oral progestins to avoid bleeding (107, 128, 146).
- May help in treating endometriosis, fibroids (noncancerous growths in the uterus that can cause prolonged or heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pressure or pain), endometrial hyperplasia (abnormal thickening of the uterine lining), and adenomyosis (a condition in which the tissue that normally lines the uterine wall extends into the middle, muscular wall of the uterus) (138).
1 If an effect starts with "may help," it indicates that emerging evidence or the balance of evidence points toward a beneficial effect. Also, the benefit is perhaps less widespread than with other effects listed.
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See companion INFO Reports, "Key Facts About the Menstrual Cycle