Effects of Birth Control Pill on Women’s Wellbeing

Introduction

The discussion on the birth control pill has been ongoing as it affects many individuals

especially women themselves. In fact the birth control pill has a long history since its

approval in 1960; from an old activist’s brainchild, to become one of the most popular birth

control methods (Planned Parenthood, 2015). The birth control pill is also known as oral

contraceptive or more commonly, “the pill”. It is one of the methods used to prevent

pregnancy from taking place in a female reproductive system. As a rule, to ensure its

effectiveness, the birth control pill is taken every day by the women themselves (World

Health Organization Department of Reproductive Health and Research (WHO/RHR) and

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health/Center for Communication Programs

(CCP), 2011, p.1). Women who opt for the birth control pill usually need a prescription to

avoid any complications in case of existing health problems. Going to the gynaecologist,

planning time and buying the pill allow women more freedom of choice compared to other

birth control methods. The birth control pill eliminates the male responsibility when only

using a condom or the risky method, intrauterine device (IUD). After a few years of its

release, there were concerns of adverse reactions because of its high content of progestin and

oestrogen (Planned Parenthood, 2015). This resulted backlash from the public and doctors

alike which made the birth control pill sales drop after its initial release. Nonetheless, modern

day birth control pill has improved and more women are starting to take it. This is can be

seen as a trend and popular among women in United States. More women are beginning to

initiate their own research for better birth control methods. Most women say they like the

birth control pill because they can control it and they can stop it on their own (World Health

Organization Department of Reproductive Health and Research (WHO/RHR) and Johns

Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health/Center for Communication Programs (CCP),

2011, p.2). Moore, McGuire, Gordon and Woodruff (2015) reported that women also chose

birth control pill due to its “effectiveness, safety, convenience, cost, and acceptability”. After

being legalised as a contraceptive method in 1960, the birth control pill has received much

attention from women, public, and doctors. After its initial release, 1.2 million were using the

birth control pill and by the 1965, the number increased to 5 million (Pbs.org, 2015).

Currently 4 out of 5 women who are sexually active have used the birth control pill

(Guttmacher.org, 2015). As the number of women using the pill increases, it is important to

take into account the effects of birth control pill towards the women’s wellbeing. The health

benefits, bodily autonomy, education and career are a few of the aspects that need to be

considered. There has been much research done to study the relationship of the birth control

pill and women’s wellbeing. Despite the limitations of the studies, the outcomes generally

show that women benefitted from taking the birth control pill. Hence, birth control pill has

positive impacts towards women’s wellbeing in terms of their health, bodily autonomy, and

education and career prospects.

Health Benefits

An effective birth control method has its own benefits and risks, especially for the birth

control pill. Nevertheless, women who take the birth control pill claim to receive several

health benefits. Despite that, these claims are not necessarily for all women as different

women have differing bodily reactions to the birth control pill. Some women even claimed to

have had adverse reactions such as blood clotting, especially in women who smoke and are

very overweight. However, there have been many extensive studies conducted to improve the

pill so that it benefits women and reduces its risk. The studies have certain limitations but the

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results showed that the birth control pill comes with many health benefits. Furthermore, the

pill protects women against ovarian cancer.

One of the most common research studies is the use of birth control pills for the primary

prevention of ovarian cancer. These findings are used as a form of reference for preventing

ovarian cancer in the female reproductive system. Lurie et al. (2008) conducted a study

carried out both in Hawaii and Los Angeles from 1993 to 2006, including a total of 1805

women (813 women with epithelial ovarian cancer and 992 controls); they found out that

women using a low-dose of birth control pill are more protected against ovarian cancer even

after they stopped using it. Women who took the birth control pill for at least a year and then

stopped will still have protection for up to three decades afterwards. A Collaborative Group

on Epidemiological Studies of Ovarian Cancer (2008) also found that the reduction in ovarian

cancer risk is greater the longer women used oral contraceptives. The findings also states that

birth control pill has already saved about 100, 000 women from ovarian cancer related deaths

and double the figure in ovarian cancer prevention. Their future predictions suggest that the

birth control pill will prevent a high number of ovarian cancer cases, up to 30, 000 per year.

The results indicate women are able to protect themselves from ovarian cancer by taking the

pill. Despite that, other factor such as different woman having different reactions towards the

birth control pill needs to be considered. Nonetheless, most women who took the birth control

pill received protection against ovarian cancer.

In addition, according to World Health Organization Department of Reproductive Health and

Research (WHO/RHR) and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health/Center for

Communication Programs (CCP) (2011), it stated that women who took birth control pill

have reduced their menstrual cramps. A recent study by Lindh, Ellstrom, and Milsom (2012)

found that birth control pill helps to reduce dysmenorrhoea or painful menstruation greatly

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compared to increasing age or childbirth. The pill also reduces the symptoms of polycystic

ovarian syndrome (PCOS) which includes irregular bleeding, acne, and excess hair on the

face or body. Legro (2009) suggests that birth control pill offers benefits and reduces PCOS

by suppressing the pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion, decreasing androgen levels,

and increasing the circulating sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels. Regarding health

benefits, more evidence and studies are showing that birth control pills bring a lot of benefits

for women. However, it is not to imply that the birth control pill is a one pill solution for

women. Just like any birth control method, it comes with risks and limitations. It is mainly

the continuous improvement of birth control pills that allow women to have many health

benefits especially when it comes to their reproductive system.

Bodily Autonomy

One of the criticisms of the birth control pill is that it kills a potential human life. This belief

contradicts women’s right for bodily autonomy because a woman’s body is her choice. The

opposition believes that a life begins at fertilisation. However the birth control pill prevents

ovulation from happening. The birth control pill uses oestrogen and progestin that will inhibit

ovulation (Behrman, 1970, p. 294). When ovulation does not occur, which is the ovum being

discharged from ovary, a fertilisation also cannot occur. More importantly, because of the

birth control pill, women can make their own decision on their fertility. When a woman is in

full control of her body, one of the women’s rights is protected. In fact, The Universal

Declaration of Human rights state that in Article 3, “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and

security of person.” This means that a woman is free to take care of her body without anyone

imposing any limitations on her. In addition to that, Darroch (2000) wrote that the birth

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control pill allows women to have a reliable control on their own fertility. Women can rely on

birth control pill to control their reproductive system.

Another group opposing the birth control pill is the religious authorities. They regard it as an

unnatural way of preventing procreation. However the use of the birth control pill does not

prevent procreation unnaturally because the same hormones in the female reproductive

system are used (Pbs.org, 2015). DeCherney (2009), in a book review for “The Fertility

Doctor: John Rock and the Reproductive Revolution”, states that, “the actual chemical

composition of the Pill was deliberately made so that patients would have regular periods,

providing assurance that this form of contraception was a quasi-natural process.” Hormones

used in the birth control pill are the same ones that the female body produces naturally. A

woman can safely take the birth control pill. However, since no woman is the same, she will

need to get a prescription based on her body needs. This in turn develops a sense of

independence and confidence for women as they need seek out the right information.

Besides having control of their own fertility, birth control allows women to be fully

responsible against unwanted pregnancy. Many women before the creation of the birth

control pill had to rely solely on their partner to prevent pregnancy. The male partner will

either use condom or practise coitus interruptus or “pulling out” during the intercourse.

However, both methods are heavily dependent on the male and unreliable especially the

coitus interruptus. Jones et al. (2009) interviewed respondents regarding couples used of

contraceptive method which stated that half of them are having problems with condoms

because it reduces sexual pleasure and it is difficult to use. While to ensure the pulling out

method works effectively; a man needs to have great self-control and experience

(Plannedparenthood.org, 2015). Christopher (1980) claims that both couple find it hard to

enjoy their intercourse because they have to be aware of the ejaculation process which takes

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great self-control (p.148). With the invention of the birth control pill, women can finally

share equal responsibility with their partner regarding reproduction. Albury (1999) states that

women were enthusiastic in choosing the birth control pill as their personal protection

method because of men being irresponsible and the failure of other birth control methods

(p.101). Thus, the woman is in full control of the use of the pill and does not have to trust or

rely on the partner to use protection.

Education and Career

After the birth control pill was released to the United States public as a contraceptive, not a

lot of women enjoyed its benefits. Young, unmarried women were unable to get a

prescription legally for the birth control pill. This is because there were many legal laws that

prohibit women at the age of 18 to make any legal decisions. In 1971, the law was changed so

that most states had lowered the age of majority (Goldin & Katz, 2002). This in turn gives the

rights for contraceptive services to young and single women. By then, they were able to get a

prescription for the birth control pill legally. Gaining access to the birth control pill, women

have more freedom to focus on education and a career.

When the chances of being pregnant are eliminated, more women are able to stay in college

and graduate. With the birth control pill easily attained, women can focus on getting their

tertiary level done. According to Hock (2007), his study infers that the birth control pill has

reduced the dropout rate among college women by over 5 percent compared to no

involvement of the pill. By taking the pill, women can still resume their sexual activity

without forgoing their academic pursuit. Since the pill can be taken discretely, the women’s

sexual activity is not affected.

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Due to the difficulty of getting the birth control, unintended pregnancy often happens.

Consequently, Brown and Eisenberg (1995) states that, “about half of all unintended

pregnancies end in abortion.” These will lead to women having medical complications after

having induced abortion. By taking the birth control pill, abortion will be the last resort for

them to avoid pregnancy. Besides that, women are no longer at risk of being forced into an

unwanted marriage due to unintended pregnancy. Previously, without the pill, most

unintended pregnancies lead to unwanted marriages due to social pressure. Partners may have

not intended to become a long term partner or not ready to be committed with child bearing.

The birth control pill has allowed women to prevent unplanned pregnancy. In addition,

unmarried women can focus more time on a career. The changes in law has made more

women take birth control pill as an opportunity to delay marriage and enter professional

programs. According to a study conducted by Goldin and Katz (2002), the relationship

between U.S college graduate women joining professional programs and the birth control pill

is substantial. More unmarried women are joining professional programs which will lead to a

great investment in their career.

Conclusion

To sum up, studies and research conducted shows that the birth control pill has positive

effects on women’s wellbeing. In terms of health benefits, women received a lot of non-

contraceptive benefits. While with the bodily autonomy aspect, women are fully in control of

their body and reproductive system. In regards to their education and career, more women are

able to attain positive effects because of the birth control pill. In addition, women are

liberated as birth control pill promotes democracy between both female and male in making

decision regarding their sex lives. However, the studies done may contain certain limitations

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as it is conducted mostly in United States and Western countries. Since the birth of the birth

control pill started in United States, it has affected the U.S. population greatly compared to

other countries. Therefore less studies and research on women outside the U.S are available.

This in turn opens opportunities for future studies regarding the effects of birth control pill on

women around the world. On the other hand, the recent outcomes show that women received

positive effects concerning the birth control pill. Hence, the birth control pill affects women’s

wellbeing positively.

(2310 words)

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