Ten myths about the pill

Myth: All birth control pills are the same There are many different brands of birth control pills available, and they are not all the same. The most common type of Pills are called Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCs), which means that the pills contain a combination of estrogen and a progestin. Progestin-Only Pills (POP), or “mini-pills”, are another type of birth control pill that contain a progestin but not estrogen. Different brands of pills may contain different doses of these hormones, or they may provide different doses at different times throughout each pill pack. Taken correctly, all birth control pills provide excellent contraception, but because of these differences, each brand may provide slightly different benefits and side-effects. Myth: Women over 35 can't take the pill Healthy women who do not smoke can often continue to take the pill right up until menopause. In addition to many other health problems that smoking can cause, it also increases some risks associated with taking the birth control pill. For this reason, the birth control pill is not recommended for women over 35 who smoke. Myth: The Pill isn't safe The pill is one of the world’s most researched and prescribed medications. Worldwide, about 100 million women use the pill. Like any medication there are certain health risks associated with taking the pill, but serious side effects are very rare. For example, blood clots are more common in pregnant women than they are in women who take the pill. The pill also provides some health benefits. The pill is not right for everyone, but for many healthy women it provides a very safe, very effective method of birth control. Myth: The Pill causes cancer There are still some unanswered questions about the cancer risks, if any, of using the pill. It appears that the pill decreases the risk of some cancers, while there may be either a very slight increase or no increase in the risk of breast cancer. Studies have shown that the pill actually lowers the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers by up to 50%, and some of this protection actually continues even after a woman stops using the pill. We also know that some studies have found that the Pill is associated with a very small increase in the risk of breast cancer, but other studies have found no increase in the risk of breast cancer. We also know that women who do not have children or have children very late are at a higher risk of breast cancer. For this reason it is difficult to say if this increased risk of breast cancer is caused by taking the pill or if it is caused by the fact that women who take the pill generally postpone having a child. There seems to be no change in risk if the pill is taken longer or with different doses of estrogen and progestin. The effect of taking the pill on the risk of cervical cancer is still uncertain. Myth: Women who take the pill for a long time need to stop using the pill and take a “break” once in a while There is no reason for a healthy woman to take a rest from using the pill. The pill is one of the most effective contraceptives available, and taking a “pill break” may increase your risk of having an unplanned pregnancy if you are sexually active while you are off of it. It may also mean that you will have to go through some of the side-effects that women often experience during the first months on the pill. These could include spotting, breast tenderness, nausea and headaches. Myth: You need your parent's permission to take the Pill A healthcare provider does not need your parents' permission to prescribe contraception, providing that you understand the potential risks and potential benefits of your decision. However, starting on contraceptives is a big decision, and you may want to discuss it with a parent, guardian, or another trusted adult first. Except in rare situations that involve abuse or issues related to the Child and Family Services Act , your health care is kept confidential, and will not be disclosed to your parents or any other members of your family. Myth: The Pill causes infertility Regardless of how long a woman takes birth control pills, there is no connection between taking the pill and infertility. Fertility returns almost immediately after stopping the pill, which is why it is so important not to miss pills. Myth: The Pill protects against STDs, so there's no reason to use a condom if a girl's on the Pill The Pill offers no protection against HIV/AIDS or any other Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). If you are going to have sex, the best way to prevent sexually transmitted infections is to use a condom, each and every time you have sex. Condoms or dental dams can also provide protection during oral sex. For further protection, you may want to consider visiting a clinic for STI testing. Myth: The Pill isn't very effective Taken correctly, the Pill Is 99.7% effective in preventing pregnancy, making it one of the most effective methods of contraception available. If you forget to take your pills, it becomes less effective and so there is an 8% “user failure rate”, which is why it is important to take your pills consistently and correctly. If you have trouble remembering to take your pills, you may want to consider an alternative method of contraception such as the contraceptive ring, patch or an injectable contraceptive (Depo™ Provera). Myth: The Pill causes weight gain This is a very common myth about oral contraceptives. However, studies have found that there is no relationship between the pill and weight gain. The estrogen in the pill may make some women feel bloated at first, but this typically gets better with time. Many women also start birth control pills while they are young, at an age when their body has not reached adulthood and when weight gain is common.