The Pill Can Save Your Life
March 12, 2010 3 Comments
New research shows that women who take the pill are less likely to die from a range of diseases.
This is good news for women worried about the effect the hormones might have on them because a lot of these effects turn out to be positive.
They found that women on the pill are less likely to die from heart disease and cancers, and, amazingly, “from any cause by around 12 per cent”!
However, these good effects are only for those over 45 or those who have taken the pill for more than 10 years. This study started in 1968 and followed over 46,000 women.
This means it really can only tell about the first generation of pills, not those currently in use.
But I’m thinking that today’s generation of pills probably have even more positive effect because as the pill technology has gotten better the negative effects have gotten smaller.
Who knows, maybe by the time I’m in my 50s or 60s I’ll have a 50% chance of not dying at all!
Did the study take into account the self-selecting nature of the pill?
Taking the pill means that they are proactive and forward-looking. This is probably how they approach their entire lives, not just their fertility.
In order for the pill to work, these women also need to take it consistently, which may indicate that they are as consistent with other health matters.
In addition, the pill costs money. Lower income women are probably less likely to take the pill when they are not in a relationship, and also less likely to while in a relationship if another, less expensive method of birth control is available.
Studies have shown a direct correlation between a person’s income and their health.
Mack, is there any way you could look into funded this study? Sounds like a drug company got some very pleasant news. (Mick)
“The findings come from a long-term study set up by the Royal College of GPs in 1968, which followed 46,000 women, some for almost 40 years. ” It was carried out by the University of Aberdeen which is in Scotland.
Looks like it might be legit. But I do agree that women are probably more proactive in general with their health if they take the pill.
As for money, the fpa (in the UK at least) gives free birth control. I suppose it’s one of the ways they are trying to combat all the teen pregnancy. It’s great for women who know about it, but sucks for women in the rest of the world who have to pay and can’t afford it.
(Mack)
While it was carried out at the University of Aberdeen, I’m interested in knowing who funded the study.
Also, unless the pill has been free in the UK since 1968, there would be a significant difference in pill usage between different socio-economic classes. (Mick)