USA Today (01/18/12)
New research shows that taking the oral contraceptive pill can help ease the cramps, bloating, and other menstrual pain some women experience. These new findings, which add to previous research and anecdotal evidence, come from a Swedish study that has been ongoing for 30 years. The findings are described in the online Jan. 18 edition of the journal Human Reproduction. The study included three groups of women who turned 19 in 1981, 1991, and 2001. Each group included 400 to 520 women who were surveyed for pattern of menstruation and menstrual pain, reproductive history, contraceptive use, height, and weight. Women provided the data at ages 19 and 24. Overall, women who used the combined birth control pill (estrogen plus progestin) experienced less severe pain than women who did not use the pill. Researchers noted that younger women often suffer more painful periods than older women, but the effects of age and pill use were independent of each other.

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