The Pill eases menstrual pains

Posted by Linda Curtis On Wednesday, January 18th 2012 in Health

Studies have showed that the use of oral contraceptive pill can ease the cramps, bloating and other pain many women experience during their period. In 2009 a review showed there was only limited evidence the Pill helped in these matters. However, new results revealed by a Swedish research team showed that women who used the combined birth control pill went through less pain than those who chose not to use it.

The study was published in the journal Human Reproduction. An expert from the United States pointed out that doctors had been using the Pill for a long time in order to ease the pains experienced during the menstrual period.

"Many obstetrician/gynecologists have used oral contraceptive pills to help alleviate menstrual pain, otherwise known as dysmenorrhea," said Dr. Jenifer Wu, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. "This is technically an off-label use of these commonly prescribed medications."

The study pointed out that younger women experience more intense pain than older women. Even though age eased the effects, the Pill had a greater effect overall.

"By comparing women at different ages, it was possible to demonstrate the influence of [the Pill] on the occurrence and severity of dysmenorrhea, at the same time taking into account possible changes due to increasing age," Dr. Ingela Lindh, of the Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, explained in a journal news release. "We found there was a significant difference in the severity of dysmenorrhea depending on whether or not the women used combined oral contraceptives."