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Common Myths on taking the Birth Control Pills
Get to know the most common myths related to birth control pills and find out the facts.

Ever since it got its approval last May 9, 1960, "the pill" has been the medication that has received much intrigue and study. Even if women are now well informed on the topic of birth control pills, they still believe the myths and misconceptions that exist on the birth control pill. Based on research by the British Medical Journal, the lack of sufficient knowledge about birth control pills contributes to one fifth of unwanted pregnancy cases. Because of this, there has been a move to educate people on what is true or not on the use of birth control pills. Several common myths and misconceptions on the pill are discussed below:

You will have an Increase in Weight while taking Birth Control Pills

This is the most common myth about pills which makes most women avoid using it. There are a handful of women who have gained a bit of weight during the period they used the pill although there has been findings to show that the birth control pills were the reason for the weight gain. It is actually a feeling of being bloated that makes them feel that they have weight gain which is the effect of estrogen, one of the hormones found in the Birth control pills. The other hormone, progestin, stimulates the appetite so women tend to eat more and may be responsible for those additional pounds. Water retention may also be a culprit to weight gain. Lastly, most studies have presented facts that women usually take birth control pills during the time their bodies are undergoing physiologic weight fluctuations, wherein the pills inadvertently takes the blame for weight gain.

You have to Stop taking Birth Control Pills Occasionally

There has been no medical basis to say that a woman should stop taking pills occasionally. In fact, medical experts have advised that it is quite safe to take the pill for 15 consecutive years or more. What is advised is to make a review of your need for contraception after using the pill for 15 years or if you have reached 35 years old since the female body undergoes a lot of changes during this period of time.

Birth control pills are considered to be a very potent contraceptive. Stopping its use even for a while may be quite risky for pregnancy especially if you are active sexually. It is even quite possible for pregnancy to occur once you stop taking birth control pills. The side effects that were present during the start of taking these pills may also be felt at this time.

Birth Control Pills are Dangerous to Use Since it Causes Birth Defects

The pill is probably considered to be the most prescribed drug as well as the one with the most research made. All medications have their own side effects and risk to health although the degree of severity is frequently low. It is even said that childbirth poses a greater risk as compared to using the pill. Over a tenth of a billion women all over the world take birth control pills. A lot of them in fact have experienced better health while using the pill as compared to when they are not. This is due to the fact that birth control pills have a hand in minimizing symptoms of PMS.

Birth control pills are known to be safe. And it has no direct effect in causing birth defects to occur.

Using Birth Control Pills for a Long Time Affects Fertility

Infertility and birth control pills are two different entities. In fact, a woman becomes fertile as soon as she stops taking birth control pills, which is the reason why women are advised not to skip taking it. A handful of women may experience a slight delay in conceiving, usually those who have experienced irregular menstrual periods before taking birth control pills. The reason why women have associated infertility with birth control pills is that most women stop taking the pill when they are already nearing forty years of age, which is also the time that the natural fertility of a woman has declined, therefore having a hard time conceiving a child. The woman may also have an underlying problem with conception that has not been detected before.

The Contents of Every Birth Control Pill are the Same

Birth control pills come in different packages, varieties and brands, therefore also have different dosages and amounts of hormones in them. Their time or interval of action also varies per cycle. The birth control pills have two kinds: the combination pills that contain both progestin and estrogen, and the progestin-only pills that only contain progestin. Every woman has their own unique response to taking birth control pills. Effects and benefits will definitely vary for each.

Birth Control Pills and Smoking Can Mix

Smoking, even in women, poses a dangerous risk on a person's health, irregardless of if they are taking birth control pills or not. Women should inform their health providers honestly if they do smoke and the frequency of smoking before taking birth control pills. The reason for this is that women, especially those who are 35 years old and above, have a higher risk of having a stroke. If they are also taking birth control pills, then they have doubled and even tripled their risk for a heart attack or stroke. This is also the reason why doctors do not prescribe combination pills to women smokers. Some may take the risk and try to use progestin-only pills and combination pills with a low dosage. But, the general rule is that if a woman smokes and takes birth control pills, the chances of developing stroke due to blood clots are incredibly high.

It is Most Risky to Skip taking Birth Control Pills at the middle of the Pack

It is actually most risky to skip taking birth control pills at the start or the end of the pack instead of at the middle. Since women are required to take seven pills consecutively to stop ovulation from occurring, the next seven days after this can be skipped. Therefore, it is actually less risky to skip the birth control pills at the middle. It is not safe to miss it at the start of the pack or towards the end of the pack because it extends the 7 days without pills and disrupts the whole cycle. Also, forgetting to take birth control pills towards the end of the pack may seem to be okay since it is near their menstruation period but on the contrary, it only results in not being able to stop ovulation for the succeeding month.

Birth Control Pills are Used for Contraception only

Birth control pills have a lot of other benefits to a woman's health aside from preventing conception to occur. Doctors often prescribe birth control pills for those women who would like to improve their quality of health. These health benefits are comprised of the following: regularity of menstruation, the ability to control the days of menstruation, preventing pain during ovulation, lessening cramps during menstruation, reducing symptoms of PMS, and removing the risk of acquiring anemia due to heavy menstrual blood flow. Birth control pills can also be used to protect the body against acne, ectopic or tubal pregnancy, benign growths in the mammary glands, cysts in the ovary, ovarian cancer, PID or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, an increase in the growth of hair in the face and body, osteoporosis, and a few types of migraine.

Birth Control Pills are not for 35 year old Women; Permission needed for Teenagers

Birth Control Pills can be taken by women more than 35 years of age as long as they are healthy, non-smokers, not hypertensive, and have no other risk factors for stroke or heart attack, as long as it is in low doses. It may actually benefit women aged 40 and above, or those nearing menopause who still have heavy and irregular menstrual periods. Birth control pills cannot be taken by women 35 years old and above if they smoke.

Teenagers do not need to ask for their parent's permission to get birth control pills and usually doctors do not require it. But since taking birth control pills is quite an important decision to make, it is recommended that it be discussed first with an adult, preferably a parent.

Birth Control Pills is Cancerous

On the contrary, studies have shown that taking birth control pills have lowered the risk of getting uterine or ovarian cancer by one third in women as opposed to those women who do not take birth control pills. This protection usually increases for every year that it is used and will last to a maximum of thirty years following the stoppage of the use of birth control pills.

There are even experts who prescribe birth control pills for women to take for a minimum of five years to protect them from ovarian cancer, most especially if the woman has a history of having ovarian cancer in the family. Recent studies have shown that the effect of birth control pills in causing breast cancer is very minimal to none at all. That it is safe for women to take estrogen before having menopause since it does not predispose them to having breast cancer.

You may also visit at http://www.mybirthcontrolstore.com to look at the comparative study of the different level of hormones used in various birth control pills. The above article is for general information on general myths associated with birth control pills and should not be taken as medical advice. If it is so, please consult your doctor or physician for treatment purpose.

Linda Crowford is an author for many successful articles and ebooks written on women's health, birth control pills, birth control, pregnancy issues and human relationship. Please visit the site http://www.mybirthcontrolstore.com to know various birth control pills, birth control methods and options are available for today's women.