Women's health • April 28, 2023

Busting myths about contraception

Eirin Myrvang Berg

Marketer

Is it dangerous to skip your period when you're on birth control pills? And is it harmful to insert an IUD before you've had a baby? Many of the myths about contraception have been around for as long as the various preparations have existed – and it's time to correct these misunderstandings.

Written in collaboration with gynecologist Finn T. Johnsen.

Myth 1: "There is a high risk of gaining weight with birth control pills."

Studies have shown that girls and women who use birth control pills do not gain more weight than those who do not use hormonal contraception. So why do some people claim that this is the case?

Many first-time users of birth control pills are at an age where their bodies and weight naturally change. They are becoming women, and during this period, one may experience weight gain.

Myth 2: "It's a good idea to take a break from birth control pills after a few years."

There is no evidence that this is necessary. On the contrary, there is a slightly greater risk of blood clots when taking a break from the pill and then starting it again. The risk of blood clots is greatest in the first few months after starting – regardless of whether you have taken the pill before or not.

Myth 3: "It is dangerous to take birth control pills continuously."

Let's start with some background information: the birth control pill was developed in the United States in the 50s by biologist Gregory Pincus and gynecologist John Rock. Rock was Catholic, and to try and convince the Catholic Church of the pill's legitimacy, he designed the treatment to mimic a woman's natural cycle as closely as possible.

The period that the pill pack promises every four weeks is just a psychological bleed. That's why you can skip this bleed as long as you want - no problem. The lining of the uterine cavity is kept thin by the pills so that there is nothing to bleed out. So one of the advantages of taking continuous pills is that you don't have to have monthly bleeds.

Myth 4: "The longer you use birth control pills, the harder it is to get pregnant."

While some people may need a year to get their bodies back to normal, others get pregnant shortly after taking the last pill. But one thing is the same for everyone: Fertility is not impaired by the contraceptive.

After stopping the pill, some women will find that they are struggling to get pregnant, but this is not the pill's fault. In these cases, the pills have camouflaged the problem.

If it's been almost a year since you stopped using birth control, and your period hasn't returned, it's a good idea to ask your gynecologist for help.

You can book an appointment with Medicus here

Myth 5: "Women who have not given birth should not use the IUD as a contraceptive."

Many have claimed that it is difficult to get an IUD inserted into the uterus in women who have not yet given birth.

Experience has shown that this is not true. Nor is it the case that women who use an IUD will have difficulty conceiving children when they remove it. The woman can basically become pregnant as soon as she has the IUD removed.

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Busting myths about contraception

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