Birth Control Pills Linked to Decreased Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a very debilitating disease that has been developing in thousands of men and women across the globe. Researchers have done numerous studies trying to figure out the different risk factors involved with rheumatoid arthritis. Many have gone one step further and have attempted to determine ways in which anyone can reduce this possibility. One particular study has surprisingly linked contraceptives to a lowered risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is a debilitating disease that has affected thousands of individuals across the globe. Most of them have taken steps to find methods of reducing the condition’s potential. In one study, researchers found a link between contraceptives and a reduction in the risk of developing RA. In past studies, RA was seen to occur more commonly in women than in men, and so there have been multiple studies conducted to discover ways to reduce the risk in women. The studies done by previous researchers came out with findings, but they were problematic. In one of the recent studies, the focus was on women from Sweden who were above the age of 18 and who had also given birth to a child. Blood samples were taken from them to have a look at their reproductive history. The study observed that the use of contraceptive pills at any time was linked to a reduction in the risk of getting rheumatoid arthritis. It was reported that those who took contraceptives for seven years or more saw a reduction in their risk of getting RA by 19 percent, which was termed as a dose response. Medically, seven years is an average amount of time for birth control use.

This study provides a good reason for women to use contraceptives, but one cannot be certain of any other benefits or dangers that can accompany these pills if used for a long period of time. Some of the health benefits of birth control pills are: they can help regulate the menstrual cycle; they prevent instances of heavy bleeding; they can help to reduce pain or cramps; and they also reduce one’s risk of ovarian cancer. Along with the benefits, however, there are certain risk factors associated with using contraceptives, such as women who smoke. There are also potential unwanted side effects that may occur while taking birth control, which can include pain in the breasts (early studies have linked the use of birth control with an increased risk for breast cancer). In a few instances, birth controls are also linked to blurry vision, which is a serious side effect that needs to be checked by a doctor. Birth control can also lead to weight gain since the pills can cause an increase in water retention, thus appearing as extra weight on the individual, and it can also lead to swelling of the legs, causing severe cramps.

This breakthrough study has suggested that contraceptives can reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis in women, mostly in those who have already given birth. There are also other health benefits linked with contraceptive use, but the women taking the pills should not neglect the potential side effects or the possible impact they pose to their health. So, it is better to talk with one’s doctor before taking any form of birth control.