Debunking Myths About Birth Control

The FDA approved oral medications to prevent pregnancy a few decades ago, and since then, women have been using the birth control pill. Despite being known by the public for over 60 years, there are still certain myths surrounding oral contraceptives. Today’s pills are much more advanced than when they first came out in the 1960s and contain lower doses of hormones.
Since the birth pill prevents a significant thing like pregnancy, you may wonder if it has other adverse effects on your body. Like any other medication, the birth control pill has certain side effects. However, it is important to understand what is true and what is not to avoid making a decision based on lies. Consult with Dr. Anita Veerabhadrappa-Meiner Boca Raton today.
Debunking myths about birth control
- Birth control makes you gain weight.
Weight gain is the most common concern associated with birth control. In previous times, birth control pills contained high levels of estrogen and progesterone, increasing women’s appetite and water retention. This is why women who took these pills gained significant weight. However, birth control in today’s time contains controlled and low hormone levels and is not linked with weight gain.
- Birth control prevents STIs.
The only form of birth control that can decrease the likelihood of contracting an STI is a condom, but it is still not foolproof. The job of birth control is to prevent pregnancy and not protect you from sexually transmitted infections or diseases. The birth control pill is completely ineffective in preventing STIs. You can consult with your doctor to discuss STI prevention techniques.
- Starting the pill too early will make you infertile.
If birth control pills damage your reproductive organs and make you infertile, they will not be approved by the FDA and released in the market. Starting the pill too early, even during the puberty days, won’t affect your reproductive parts or make you incapable of reproducing in the long term. It also won’t affect your sexual performance and affect your relationships. Sometimes girls and women may take birth control not to avoid pregnancy but to control acne.
- All birth control is hormonal.
While many versions of birth control contain hormones, such as the birth control pill, many other hormone-free options exist. These may include spermicides, diaphragms, and cervical caps. It is advised to buy only FDA-approved products. ParaGuard and Phexxi do not contain hormones.
These are some of the most common birth control myths. If you are considering birth control or have questions, speak to an expert today.