Can birth control eliminate my need for painkillers?

[Bean202]

Ever since I turned 17, my periods have started getting worse. I struggle with back pain, leg pain, abdominal cramps, headaches, and stomach aches during my period as well as stabbing ovulation pain and PMS cramps in the weeks leading up to my period. I am stuck taking ibuprofen and Tylenol, but as of recently taking these painkillers seems to be less effective in dealing with my pain. Also, I sometimes get awful nausea after taking ibuprofen. I don’t want to hurt myself with painkillers, but I also don’t want to be in pain all day. If I got on birth control pills, would I possibly be able to take painkillers less? Are birth control pills more harmful to the body than painkillers? I have asked my mom and older sister about it, but they don’t seem to take me seriously.

[CatosaurusR]

There is evidence for many that various birth control methods may help with pain such as your cramps, back pain, leg pain, and so on. With the severity of your period pain and symptoms I would discuss with a doctor about maybe doing a combination birth control (progestin and estrogen) and perhaps a method which has no 'breaks'  (ie where all 28 days of pills are hormone containing versus only 21 of them with 7 being placebo or doing the nuvaring all 4 weeks versus taking it out after 3 weeks). These types of birth controls and methods are more likely to give you some pain relief around your period. Just make sure to thoroughly discuss your leg pain as many doctors are weary of leg pains, especially once on birth control, as they could be a blood clot indicator. As for if birth control would be more harmful than taking so many painkillers it would depend on your medical history and such but in general my gut instinct is that it wouldn't be. You and a doctor just have to find the right birth control for you. It may take a few times of trial and error but eventually you should have something that is just right for you.