When used correctly, birth control is a reliable source to protect you against unplanned pregnancies. But did you also know that birth control has a lot of other amazing social and lifestyle perks for women as well.

Researchers at the family planning organization, the Guttmacher Institute, found that numbers showed that women who use birth control tend to have more years of education, greater economic stability, and also form more solid romantic partnerships compared to women who aren’t contraception covered. These aren’t the only great perks about birth control, check out some of the little-known facts of birth control.

It can treat endometriosis.

Endometriosis means that uterine tissue migrates out of your uterus and attaches itself to your ovaries , fallopian tubes, and/or other parts of the pelvic cavity; it can affect ovulation or fertilization. By taking birth control it reduces monthly uterine buildup slowing the migration and growth of uterine tissue to other parts of your reproductive tract.

It can help with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Women with PCOS have a hormone imbalance that can lead to erratic or skipped period, excess facial hair, obesity, ovarian cysts, infertility troubles, and more. The hormone combo in the birth control pill balances the hormonal imbalances in the body.

It can ease killer cramps

Monthly cramps are caused by chemicals called prostaglandins, which trigger muscle contractions. Taking birth control reduces the amount of prostaglandins your body produces and you experience less discomfort.

It smooths out your skin

Taking birth control lowers your body’s testosterone levels, which (testosterone) is the hormone that causes acne breakouts and excess body hair.

It offers some protection against Pelvic Inflammatory Disease 

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is an infection of the upper reproductive tract that can compromise your fertility. The progestin in hormonal birth control makes cervical mucus thicker and it acts as a roadblock against PID-causing microbes to enter the cervix.

It can cut your odds of some cancers

Women who go on the pill, ring , or other combined estrogen-progestin methods for 15 years cut their lifetime risk of developing ovarian and endometrial cancers by 50% according to a 2010 study.