Are birth control pills a safe and effective method of improving difficult periods?
Q: I’m a 29-year old female with a history of irregular periods and severe PMS. My doctor has suggested oral contraceptives, but I have been very reluctant to take them because I have heard so many stories about negative side effects. Can they actually help me regulate my periods and moods–and more importantly, are they safe? A: First of all, I would like to stress that you are definitely not alone. According to the National Women’s Health Resource Center, approximately 10 million women (or 20 percent) in the United States suffer from problem periods, which, when combined with severe PMS, can greatly reduce the number of healthy productive days that women may enjoy each month. Oral contraceptives are a common and effective method of controlling PMS and bleeding irregularities. The recent advances in hormone technology have made it possible for most women to have periods that are short in duration, usually one or two light days, or no period at all. And the answer is yes; it is safe to
