Myths surrounding contraception

There are lots of myths (and strong opinions!) floating around regarding contraception.

Everybody is different and it’s important you have all the facts so you can make an informed choice that is personal to you. When it comes to contraception, what works for one person might not be the best option for someone else. On the flipside, your friend/family member/favourite influencer might have had a bad experience on one form of contraception that you might get on great with!

I always say reviews of contraception are a bit like restaurant reviews: someone who has a bad experience is going to be much quicker to shout about it than someone who gets on just fine with it.

So, what are some of the most common myths?

“The pill will make me gain weight”

A possible side effect from both the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) and the progesterone only pill (POP/’mini pill’) is increased appetite. However, studies show that most people who take these remain the same weight. 1 in 10 people will put on weight and actually 1 in 10 will lose weight!

“You need to have a pill break/withdrawal bleed once a month”

The COCP was originally historically designed to be taken for 21 days, followed by a 7 day break. During this 7 day break, levels of progesterone drop which causes the lining of the womb to break down, causing a withdrawal bleed. This was designed to mimic a natural cycle and actually there is no scientific basis for needing a break each month. It’s safe to take pill packets back to back. The hormones in the pill (oestrogen and progesterone) keep the lining of the womb thin, so blood doesn’t build up more and more each month.

“I must take the pill at the same time every day or I will get pregnant”

You actually don’t have to take the pill at the same time every day, but it’s a good habit to promote as having a routine which reminds you to take the pill means you are less likely to forget it! For the COCP, its fine to take it at any point in the day, providing you take it every day. The POP is slightly different and depending on brand, there is a 3-12 hour ‘safe window’.

“My friend got depressed on the pill, so it’s not right for me”

Not all contraceptives suit everyone. One form of contraception might suit someone really well, whereas someone else might suffer the side effects such as mood changes, increased appetite, nausea or reduced sex drive. If you do suffer side effects, consult your own doctor and consider swapping brands of contraception before changing contraceptive type all together. Lot of people get on really well with the pill, it’s not a good idea to entirely discount a form a contraception (which might be well suited for you), based on someone else’s experience.

“I shouldn’t take the pill for too long as it can make me infertile”

This is one of the most common myths I hear about contraception. There is no evidence that taking the pill effects fertility. When women come off the pill, fertility returns to normal, and many women can get pregnant within a few days to weeks. It can sometimes take a few months for regular periods to return. Remember the first bleed after stopping the pill will be a withdrawal bleed, so it’s not until the bleed after that which counts as a ‘natural period’.

What often happens is that girls go on contraception at a young age and don’t really get in tune with their ‘natural cycle’, they then get used to having a bleed every month and when coming off the pill later in life (often when they want to get pregnant)l, expect to have a perfect 28 day cycle. In actual fact, cycle lengths can differ between 21 and 40 days and they may have even had irregular periods to begin with, which doesn’t become apparent until they come off the pill later in life. It’s also important to remember that fertility does slowly decline with age, so it can take a bit longer. If your period doesn’t come back within 3 months of stopping the pill, you should consult your own doctor.

If you do want the option of getting pregnant quickly – it’s worth knowing that the contraceptive injection can take 12-18 months to leave your system completely, so often isn’t advised for women who may want to get pregnant quickly after coming off contraception.

“I can only take emergency contraception the morning after unprotected sex”

There are 2 types of ‘morning after pill’: Levonelle, which is effective within 3 days and ellaOne, which is effective within 5 days, of unprotected sex. It is more effective the sooner you take it. Most people don’t know that you can also have an IUD fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex, or after the earliest time you could have ovulated, for it to be effective. If you use the IUD as a method of emergency contraception, it can be left in and used as your regular contraceptive method.

Did you know all of these myths?

Dr Frankie