The benefits of contraception in birth control and family planning cannot be understated. They play a crucial role in enabling women to take control over their reproductive rights and implement child spacing according to their convenience and financial condition. Previously, we have discussed in this article the different types of contraceptives and how they compare in various aspects including the side effects of every kind of contraception method.

However, it overlooks how these contraception methods fare when it comes to the menstrual health benefits that women get from using them.

In this article, we can explore the health benefits of contraception and how women can enjoy these benefits without any side effects using Saheli.

The Role of Contraception in Ensuring Menstrual Health

The primary purpose of contraception is to prevent unwanted pregnancies. However, contraception methods also offer significant benefits for menstrual health.

There are different categories of contraceptives such as permanent contraception methods like vasectomy, tubectomy, and tubal ligation, barrier methods such as condoms, hormonal and non-hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs), and oral contraceptive pills (OCPs).

Each type of contraception works differently and has its pros and cons when it comes to ease of use, effectiveness, health benefits, risks, and long-term impact. Similarly, some methods offer more menstrual health benefits than others.

Contraception Methods with No Impact on Menstrual Health

Barrier methods work by merely acting as physical barriers, preventing fertilisation; they do not manipulate the hormone levels to avoid pregnancies, unlike hormonal IUDs or pills. Similarly, non-hormonal Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) and permanent sterilisation methods for women do not impact the menstrual cycle or offer any health benefits. So we can rule out these methods from the menstrual health perspective.

Contraception Methods that Improve Menstrual Health

When it comes to improving menstrual health, it is pertinent to focus on contraception methods that rely on hormonal changes to prevent pregnancies. Following are some contraception methods and the menstrual health benefits they offer.

1. Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs) - Hormonal

Combined Hormonal Contraceptives (CHCs):

Combined Hormonal Contraceptive pills (CHCs) contain both oestrogen and progestin. These hormones work together to regulate the menstrual cycle. CHCs benefit reproductive health by:

• Regulating Periods: They impact hormonal levels to achieve contraception. As a result, periods are more predictable, and the menstrual cycle becomes regular, reducing the frequency of bleeding and preventing irregular or unexpected bleeding.
• Lightening Periods: CHCs often result in lighter periods and reduced flow and blood loss, thus improving haemoglobin levels and reducing the risk of anaemia caused by heavy bleeding.
• Providing PMS Relief: By regulating the reproductive hormone levels, hormonal pills alleviate Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) symptoms like mood swings, bloating, and breast tenderness.
• Reducing Cramps: Menstrual cramps are common around the time of ovulation due to follicle stretching and breaking. Combined hormonal pills significantly reduce menstrual cramps and pain by preventing ovulation.

2. Progestogen-Only Contraceptives (POCs):

Progestin-only pills are suitable for those who cannot or do not want to use oestrogen-containing contraceptives, such as breastfeeding women. These pills offer benefits for menstrual health including:

• Lighter Periods: Progestogen-only pills can lead to lighter and less painful periods. In some cases, they can stop periods altogether.
• Management of Heavy Bleeding: They help reduce heavy menstrual bleeding and manage the flow, preventing anaemia.

3. Hormonal Intrauterine Devices (IUDs):

Different Hormonal IUDs contain varying levels of progestin. They release small amounts of Progestin hormone in the uterus over a period of 3-5 years. Their menstrual health benefits are similar to that of progestin-only pills: reduced menstrual flow, relief from cramps, and control of heavy bleeding.

However, since IUDs release the hormone directly into the uterus, they localise the hormonal impact. As a result, the side effects are minimal compared to the Progestin-only pills, and so they provide long-term PMS relief.

Do Their Menstrual Health Benefits Outweigh the Side Effects and Long-term Health Risks?

The choice of contraception method is purely subjective. Each one offers menstrual health benefits on one hand and health risks and long-term impact on overall health on the other.

For instance, Progestin-only pills cause irregular bleeding, especially during the first few months of use. Systemic hormonal side effects include mood changes, breast tenderness, and headaches. Combined contraceptive pills cause mood swings, hair loss, weight changes, and increase the risk of blood clots. Hormonal IUDs, while causing fewer systemic side effects, may still lead to irregular spotting and discomfort during insertion. It can also cause uterine perforation in some cases.

It is imperative to compare the benefits for menstrual health offered by a contraception method against its side effects and health risks before selecting a contraception method.

So the most critical question now is whether there is a contraception method that offers all these benefits without any side effects and health risks. The answer is yes!

Choose Saheli to Improve Menstrual Health But Without Side Effects!

Saheli does everything hormonal OCPs do but better, without any of the side effects associated with hormonal pills and IUDs. Saheli is the world’s only non-steroidal oral contraceptive pill and it makes Saheli a unique, highly effective oral contraceptive pill for maintaining menstrual health.

Moreover, being subjected to more than 30 years of research, Saheli has proven well-documented menstrual health benefits backed by extensive clinical trials. It is further complemented by DCGI"s approval for use and its inclusion in the National Family Welfare Programme of India since 1995.

Trusted by millions of women in India for planning family and child spacing, Saheli positively impacts menstrual health in the following ways:

• Saheli does not contain steroids that affect hormonal balance
• It does not disrupt the menstrual cycle unlike hormonal pills
• No long-term menstrual irregularities
• Saheli does not disturb the endocrine system
• Reduces menstrual blood loss in patients with menorrhagia
• Controls abnormal uterine bleeding
• Studies find an increase in haemoglobin levels with treatment using Saheli
• Localised action with anti-oestrogenic properties in the uterus while being a potent oestrogenic agent in a few other organs
• A unique weekly-once dosage pattern for a stable menstrual rhythm as opposed to hormonal pills that come with a daily dosage
• Promotes menstrual health, breast health, lipid profile, and bone density
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FAQs

1. Does birth control improve periods?

Yes, hormonal birth control such as combined oral contraceptive pills and hormonal IUDs can improve periods by reducing menstrual bleeding, alleviating cramps, and regulating cycle length. Progestin-only pills may even stop periods altogether, providing relief from heavy or painful menstruation.

2. What effect do contraceptives have on the menstrual cycle?

Contraceptives, especially hormonal ones, can regulate menstrual cycles, reduce bleeding, minimise symptoms like cramps, and provide PMS relief.

3. How does birth control help women's health?

Birth control offers various health benefits beyond contraception, including regulation of menstrual cycles, reduction of menstrual pain, prevention of anaemia, and decreased risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers. It also manages conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis.

4. What contraception stops your period?

Hormonal IUDs, continuous-use combined oral contraceptive pills, and some progestin-only methods can stop periods or significantly reduce menstrual bleeding.