The hormones in birth control pills can help ease the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats and irregular monthly periods. Birth control pills can strengthen your bones. Studies show that by regulating hormones, the pill can help prevent osteoporosis, a gradual weakening of the bones which affects millions of American women. Birth control pills may help protect you from cancer of the ovaries and womb. Despite conflicting reports, most studies do not show that the pill causes breast cancer.
Studies show that the pill greatly reduces benign breast disease or cysts on the breasts.
The pill can also protect against cysts on the ovaries and pregnancies outside the womb, which can be life- threatening. Some studies show that cervical cancer may be more common among women using birth control pills for more than five years, but evidence does not show that the pill causes this kind of cancer. You should discuss your personal risks with your health care provider. PID is a general term for infections of the reproductive system. It is caused by bacteria primarily associated with STDs and can result in severe pelvic and stomach pain.