7 Disconcerting Birth Control Myths Explained

In spite of huge promotions by various health sectors in the the US government regarding contraceptive techniques, a lot of females remain hesitant to respond the call. The options are many and each of these approaches is carefully studied; their benefits and disadvantages well elucidated. However, what's troubling a lot of females is not the scientific implication of contraceptive use, but the socio-cultural beliefs that are associated with it.

Myth #1: I am breastfeeding so it's not possible for me to get pregnant

Fact: Breastfeeding has an inhibitory effect to the hormones responsible for ovulation. But this is not absolute. A woman is protected only from unplanned pregnancy through the first six months and the condition has to be that, first, she must breastfeed entirely her infant without supplementing milk formula or baby food. Second, she must breastfeed at regular intervals through day and night time and that no feeds are missed for any reason. Third, she must make sure her menstrual periods have not returned.

Myth #2: All hormonal methods of contraception are the same

Fact: Hormonal method of birth control can be either combined which contain two hormones - estrogen and progestin, or progestin only. Although both are highly effective (92% to 97%), coupled contraceptive has a lot more side effects. If the mother is breastfeeding, progestin-only is safer than combined.

Myth #3: Any woman can take contraceptive pills

Fact: Before starting on contraceptive drugs, one should talk to her ob-gynecologist. Combined oral contraceptive pills are not suitable for females who have the following health risks: being a smoker older than 35 years old, have migraines, high blood pressure, stroke, blood clots, heart disease, diabetes, liver organ ailments.

Myth #4: I'm frightened of using IUD (intrauterine deivce). It may get lost and travel through my body.

Fact: IUD is a little T-shaped device with a single string affixed to the base of the stem. It is inserted into the uterus and practically always stays inside. If it does come out, it will come out from a tear in the uterine wall, which in this case will require surgery in order to be removed. To be sure that IUD is in place, have it checked monthly with your health professional.

Myth #5: Condoms can get misplaced in the woman's body

Fact: Condoms are too big to get into the small opening of the cervix.

Myth #6: I won't get pregnant because I haven't had my period yet

Fact: Absence of menstruation does not essentially mean absence of ovulation. There are a lot of cases of teenage pregnancies wherein menstruation has not yet occurred. It is possible. The menstrual cycle of young women is expected to be irregular throughout the first few months because of hormonal imbalance. Because ovulation precedes menstruation, it could be that, a young lady is ovulating for the first time and had sexual intercourse, paving the way for fertilization and pregnancy, instead of her first menstruation.

Myth #7: I don't need contraception to avoid getting pregnant because we only have sexon my "safe" time

Fact: If a woman has a normal menstrual cycle, a "safe" time can be theoretically determined. It is the time when she is not fertile or ovulating and thus safe from getting pregnant. Having said that, it should be realized that the entire menstrual cycle is an interplay of 4 various hormones: luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogen, and progesterone. What regulates ovulation is a delicate balance of these hormones. However, that balance can be disrupted by many variables like stress, age group, medicines and weight change. Because of these uncontrollable external factors, it is therefore tough to pinpoint the "precise safe" days, making any woman still at risk for pregnancy. It is one of the reasons why rhythm method of birth control has high failure rate.

Nowadays, only a handful of females will frankly inquire their health care provider how accurate contraceptive myths are. And seeing how these false beliefs strongly influenced their choice of birth control method, it is high time for both the woman and her health care provider to talk much more about disconcerting myths and get it out of the closet.