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Dr. Zarine Kotian explains many reasons a woman may choose to take birth control pills when she is not sexually active and describes if it is safe to take when monthly periods are purposefully prevented. Dr. Kotian is a gynecologist at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, Arizona.
Dr. Kotian:
Birth control can be started for many reasons. It’s not only when you become sexually active. A young woman can start the birth control if she is having heavy menstrual cycles that’s interfering with her life, if it’s taking away from days from school, or birth control can be started prior to sexual activity. It is definitely ideal to start it prior to sexual activity, but there are multitudes of other reasons to start birth control.
Besides pregnancy prevention birth control can have many other benefits. One of the benefits of birth control is decreased bleeding, especially with the hormonal type of birth control, decreased cramping, also if a woman has mood swings or premenstrual syndrome this is a way of controlling those moods, premenstrual headaches – it’s a good idea for headaches. A patient with polycystic ovary – this is a good idea for her too, and a patient who has history of cyst. This may be a way of controlling them depending on the type of contraception used.
A common question I get in the office is a woman asking about three-month pill or Seasonale. Is it okay not to get their period when they are on these pills? It is okay. The only reason we used to make these pills with three weeks on, one week off is that women felt more comfortable with that, but there is no medical or biological reason to get your period when you are on the pill.
About Dr. Zarine Kotian, M.D.:
Dr. Kotian is an obstetrician/gynecologist on staff at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, Ariz. She was born and raised in Ohio, attending Ohio State University where she completed her degree in Molecular Genetics with a minor in Spanish. She is board certified in OB/GYN. Dr. Kotian knew she wanted to be an OB/GYN while in her rotation during medical school after seeing her first birth.
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Keywords:
Condition: Pregnancy, Menopause, Sexual Health
Related Terms: Cesarean Section, C-Section, Vaginal Birth, Elective C-Section, Emergency C-Section, Labor, Umbilical Cord Prolapse, Birth Control, Fertility, Menstrual Cycle, HPV, Menopause, Sexual Health, Sexual Activity, STD
Health Care Provider: Banner Hospital, Banner Medical Center, Banner Health, Banner Thunderbird Medical Center, Banner Thunderbird Hospital
Location: Glendale, Arizona, AZ, 85306, East Valley, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Apache Junction, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Guadalupe, Mesa, Phoenix Metropolitan Area
Expert: Dr. Zarine Kotian, Zarine Kotian, M.D., Doctor Kotian, Gynecologist Zarine Kotian, Zarine Kotian, OB/GYN
Expertise: Pregnancy, Cesarean Section, C-Section, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fetal Assessment, Breastfeeding Support, Premature Babies, Fertility, Sexual Health