The Pill lowers risk of heart disease

Study • A student picks up birth control pills at the student health center. A recent study determined The Pill lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke. Tracey Roman/Online Forty-Niner

 

By Elizabeth Eide
Online Forty-Niner
Staff Writer

Millions of women around the world have been using The Pill for its intended purpose as an oral contraceptive. According to the Wall Street Journal, the 16 million American women taking birth control can continue using The Pill for a new secondary purpose, lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine recently presented the latest findings on one of the biggest women's health studies to date.

The Women's Health Initiative study was conducted in 40 locations around the country and funded by the National Institutes of Health. The $625 million study included 162,000 women participants.

According to lead researcher, Dr. Rahi Victory of Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, the findings included an eight percent risk reduction of having cardiovascular disease and a seven percent lower risk of having any form of cancer. These included a significantly lower risk of developing ovarian and uterine cancer.

The Planned Parenthood Federation of America presents even more advantages to taking The Pill. This multi-purpose pill contains estrogen and progestin, which is similar to the hormones that women's ovaries produce. They accomplish their main goal by preventing the release of an egg and thickening the cervical mucus, making it very difficult for sperm to join with an egg.

Planned Parenthood says The Pill alleviates many of the symptoms associated with women's menstrual cycles. The Pill allows for shorter, lighter, more regular periods and less cramping. Other benefits of The Pill include clearer skin, less infection of the fallopian tubes, less body hair, less vaginal dryness and protection against osteoporosis.

The Pill can be used by millions of women and is affordable even without insurance. Getting The Pill is as simple as one doctor's visit and one stop at the local pharmacy. Planned Parenthood offers free examinations and free birth control to those who qualify.

According to Planned Parenthood the Pill is 99.7 percent effective in preventing pregnancy when used correctly.

Planned Parenthood says the future of oral contraceptive lies in the development of a pill for men. Clinical studies in Italy are currently being conducted on men taking a pill containing synthetic hormones. Testosterone injections are also being given to the men to increase the effectiveness of The pill.