Since its approval on May 9, 1960, the pill is among one of the most carefully studied medications in U.S. history. Although women's knowledge has significantly improved since the introduction of the pill, many myths about the pill still exist. According to research in the British Medical Journal, poor knowledge about the pill accounts for about 20 percent of unwanted pregnancies. Because many myths are associated with the pill, it is important to improve people's knowledge so everyone can be more educated about this contraceptive choice. Here are some of the common misconceptions and myths regarding the pill:
1. The Pill Makes You Gain Weight
2. You Should Take a Break from the Pill Once in a While
There's no medical reason for a healthy woman to take a break from using the pill. Experts say the pill can be taken for 15 or more years consecutively without any increased risk. However, doctors do advise reviewing contraceptive needs after 15 years of pill taking or at age of 35. The pill is one of the most effective contraceptives, so taking a break from it may increase your risk of getting pregnant if you're sexually active. In fact, it's possible to get pregnant immediately after going off the pill. Taking a break can also cause some of the side effects that can be felt when first starting the pill.3. The Pill is Not Safe and It Causes Birth Defects
The pill is one of the world’s most researched and prescribed medications. As with any medication, certain health risks are linked to pill use, but serious side effects are rare. It is actually safer to use the pill than to have a baby.About 100 million women worldwide use the pill. For many women, their quality of life is better while taking the pill than when not. That's because the pill also provides health benefits, like minimizing PMS symptoms. The pill has been proven as an extremely safe contraceptive.
It has not been linked to any type of birth defects (even if accidentally taken through early pregnancy).
4. Long Term Pill Use Can Affect Fertility
There is NO connection between taking the pill and infertility. Fertility can return almost immediately after stopping the pill, which is why it's important not to miss pills. Some women may face a delay in becoming pregnant after stopping pill use, especially if they had irregular periods before starting it. Women using the pill may delay childbearing until their late 30s, a time when natural fertility has waned, thereby confusing pill use as the cause for not becoming pregnant rather than age. Also, a woman may have always had a fertility problem but was unaware of it because she was not trying to get pregnant.5. All Birth Control Pills Are Basically the Same
There are different brands and varieties birth control pills. They can contain different levels of hormones and may also supply different doses at various times throughout each pill pack cycle. Oral contraceptives are classified as:- Combination pills (contain estrogen and progestin)
- Progestin-only Pills (contain progestin but not estrogen)
6. Women Who Smoke Cannot Use the Pill
Women should be honest with their doctors about their smoking. Women who smoke have a higher risk, in general, of having a stroke. When a woman is 35 or older, the combination of using the pill and smoking may carry a greater chance of stroke. Most doctors will not prescribe combination pills for smokers beyond that age. Women who smoke and use the pill may also be at a greater risk for developing blood clots.Even so, low dose combination pills as well as progestin-only pills are available which are suitable for smokers. However, the pill is an unsafe method for women who are heavy smokers.
7. The Most Risky Time to Miss a Pill is in the Middle of the Pack
Women need to take 7 consecutive active pills to prevent ovulation. They can then miss 7 days without the risk of ovulation, which is what occurs during the pill free/reminder pill week of a cycle. So, the least risky time to miss pills is in the middle of a pack. The most unsafe time is at the beginning or end of a pack because it extends the pill-free week past 7 days.Women who miss pills near the end of their pack may mistakenly think that it doesn't matter since they are about to have their period. Missing pills near the pill-free week may mean not enough pills have been taken to stop ovulation the next month.
8. The Only Use for the Pill is as Contraception
The pill may provide health benefits in addition to preventing pregnancy. Sometimes, women may use the pill solely for these advantages. Examples of the pill's health benefits include:- More regular periods
- One can control the timing of a period
- Stopping ovulation pain
- Reducing menstrual cramps
- Minimizing PMS symptoms
- Lowering the risk of anemia (which can result from having heavy periods)
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Acne
- Non-cancerous breast growths
- Ovarian cysts and cancer
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Osteoporosis
- Excess facial and body hair
- Some types of migraines
9. Women Over 35 Can't Use the Pill & Teens Need Permission to Get the Pill
Healthy women with normal blood pressure, no increased risk for heart attack or stroke, and who don't smoke can often use low-dose pills until menopause. The pill may be especially beneficial for perimenopausal women in their mid-to-late 40s who are having heavy or irregular periods. The pill is not recommended for women over 35 who smoke due to increased health risks.In general, a doctor doesn’t need a parent’s permission to prescribe the pill, given you understand the risks/benefits of this decision. However, starting the pill is a big decision, so you may first want to discuss it with a parent or trusted adult.
10. The Pill Causes Cancer
- Women who use the pill are 1/3 less likely to get ovarian or uterine cancer than those who don't
- Protection against these cancers increases with each year of use and can last up to 30 years after ending pill use
- Some experts advise that all women use the pill for at least 5 years, solely for ovarian cancer protection (especially women with strong family histories of ovarian cancer)
- Most experts believe that the pill doesn't cause any type of cancer
- Recent research suggests that the pill has little if any effect on causing breast cancer and that taking estrogen before menopause doesn't predispose women to breast cancer
