Dear Hummingbird,

Yes. In addition to being up to 99.7 percent effective against pregnancy when used correctly, the pill has many non-contraceptive benefits. That's why some health care providers prescribe the birth control pill for women who have uncomfortable symptoms related to menstruation, like menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Many women who take the pill have more regular, lighter, and shorter periods.

The pill offers some relief from acne, iron deficiency anemia, and excess body hair. The pill also offers protection against ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, and certain cancers — of the ovaries and of the lining of the uterus. It protects against thinning of the bones, noncancerous growths in the breasts, and vaginal dryness and painful intercourse associated with menopause in older women.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.