9 Common Myths About Birth Control
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

9 Myths We've All Heard About Birth Control, Debunked

It's time to get the facts straight.

16989
9 Myths We've All Heard About Birth Control, Debunked

When women first become sexually active, they can easily feel bombarded by the sheer number of choices they have when it comes to birth control. Sometimes women don't have access to any sex education at all, leaving them completely unprotected from unwanted pregnancies or STIs. Here are nine common myths about birth control, confronted with the ugly truth.

1. Birth control causes infertility

Photo by Lisa Fotios from Pexels

If I had a nickel for every time someone said that being on hormonal birth control for a long time would make me infertile, I wouldn't be rich, but I wouldn't be hurting for money either! This just isn't true — that's why people can get pregnant after missing only one pill, or after getting an implant taken out. Once the hormones wear off, you're just as able to become pregnant as you were before taking birth control.

2. Using birth control to skip periods is unhealthy

Nope! While it's nice to be able to know when you're ovulating and fertile through tracking your cycle, it's not unhealthy to skip periods altogether. That means you can use hormonal birth control for years without breaks. Who WANTS to be in pain for a week out of the month anyway?

3. Hormonal birth control causes abortions

Some anti-abortion groups would love for you to believe this and I've even been told this one before, but there's no truth to it. Regardless of whether you're pro-choice or not, the facts don't lie. Hormonal birth control works by controlling ovulation (when an ovary releases an egg into the fallopian tube for it to be fertilized by sperm). If the egg doesn't get released, then it cannot be fertilized and implant in the uterus to become a fetus. No fetus, no abortion.

4. Only young people need birth control

If you're sexually active, uninterested in getting pregnant, and have had a menstrual cycle in the past 12 months, then congratulations! You're still capable of falling pregnant and therefore still need protection to avoid an unwanted pregnancy.

5. Douching prevents pregnancy

While most of us know that douching is terrible for the pH balance of the vagina, some people are still using it in the hopes it will prevent pregnancy. Unfortunately, after having unprotected sex, sperm goes past the cervix and is out of reach for the douching solution. Let's leave douching in the past where it belongs.

6. The pill is effective immediately

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels

It would be nice if that were the case, but in many cases, it can take up to a week for the pill to become fully effective. It's better to be safe than sorry, so use condoms or another form of protection until it's fully effective.

7. Pulling out is an effective method

Although the pull-out method is technically a form of birth control, it is one of the least effective methods. Out of 100 women who use the pull-out method, 22 will get pregnant. Personally, I don't like those odds. Additionally, sperm can still be released in ejaculate prior to an orgasm, so it's not a safe bet.

8. You can only get pregnant if you orgasm

If this were the case, I suspect there would be fewer pregnancies in the world. As I said earlier, ovulation occurs as a part of the menstrual cycle each month, regardless of whether or not you're having sex. Men need to ejaculate to release sperm, but women release eggs regardless of whether or not they have orgasmed.

9. All hormonal birth control methods are the same

Yes and no. They're similar in that they all prevent ovulation, but they're vastly different in the lifestyles they cater to. I have an IUD because I know I don't want any children for quite some time, but I also can't remember to take a pill every day. IUDs can be effective for years and they just chill out in your uterus, keeping you protected. Some people might not like the idea of something being inserted into their uterus, so they opt for the shot or pill as a less invasive form. In addition to that, there are patches, rings, arm implants. Each form might contain a different hormone or formulation that is beneficial to different people. There are so many choices, and I encourage you to discuss options with your doctor to see which is right for you!

Report this Content
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

18939
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

947163
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

123720
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments