Ms Fluke was speaking up for her friend, who is a lesbian so she doesn't need birth control pills for protection from 'sex'.
Yes, the 'pill' is perscribed for other medical purposes.
Her friend developed a cyst & she had to have an ovary removed.
Pill perk #1: Lower cancer risk
Taking oral contraceptives (OCs) can slash your risk for both endometrial and ovarian cancer by more than 70 percent after 12 years; even just one to five years may lower your risk by 40 percent. They work by reducing the number of times you ovulate in your lifetime: Ovulation may trigger cell changes in the ovaries that can lead to cancer. If you're worried about using the Pill for too long, relax. "You can safely take the Pill for 20 years or more," says Stephanie Teal, M.D., director of family planning at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. Barring health issues, the only reason to stop is if you want to get pregnant.
http://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/features/other-reasons-to-take-the-pill
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