Myth 1: Taking ‘rest’ from birth control pills is recommended
Fact: There is no evidence to prove that taking a break from birth control pills is helpful. On the contrary, it can put you at risk of unwanted pregnancies. These pills can be used for years at a stretch. In fact, it’s perfectly safe to have them from menarche (onset of periods) to menopause
Myth 2: The pill is not safe for adolescents
Fact: There are two types of birth control pills. The first variety is called combined oral contraceptives (COC), as it contains two hormones - estrogen and progesterone (for example, Mala D, Mala N, Ovral, and Loette). Birth control pills can be an appropriate method for adolescents. Adolescents may need extra support and encouragement to use COCs consistently and effectively.
Myth 3: If you’ve been on the pill a long time, you will be protected from pregnancy even after discontinuing it use
Fact: You’re protected only as long as you take your pills regularly and in the prescribed manner.
Myth 4: Being on the pill can interfere with your ability to conceive when you try to get pregnant
Fact: Once a woman stops using the pill, she can get pregnant as quickly as women who stop non-hormonal methods of contraception. The pill does not delay the return of a woman’s fertility. For some women, however, the usual bleeding pattern during menstruation may take a few months to normalise after stopping the pill.
Myth 5: The pill can cause abortion
Fact: As per research, birth control pills do not disrupt an existing pregnancy. They should not be used to try to cause an abortion.
Myth 6: Birth control pills cause birth defects and can harm the foetus if a woman accidentally takes the pill while pregnant
Fact: There is good evidence to suggest that COCs do not cause birth defects or harm the foetus in any way even if a woman becomes pregnant while being on the pill or accidentally takes it when she is already pregnant.
Myth 7: The pill can cause women to gain or lose weight
Fact: Most women do not experience any change in weight because of the pill. Weight changes may happen due to life circumstances or age. Since these weight changes are common, many women presume that they’re caused by the pill. Studies, however, indicate that, on average, COCs do not affect weight.
Myth 8: The pill affects sex drive
Fact: Well, this belief can be true in part. Many women do report improvement in their sexual drive after going on the pill. This may simply be because the woman is now free from the fear of getting pregnant.
In essence, unless there is an underlying medical condition at play, the pill isn’t the ominous choice of contraception it’s often made out to be. We hope this lowdown on everything you need to know about birth control pills will empower you to make informed decisions about your sex life and sexual health.
This myth buster was prepared after consultation with Maj. (Dr) Sameena Parikh (retd), MS, PGDMLS.
The person in the picture is a model.
Got questions on mind? Share with Love Matters (LM) on our Facebook page. If you have a specific question, please ask LM experts on our discussion forum. We are also on Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.
Arushi Chaudhary is a freelance journalist and writer with 5 years of experience in print publications such as the Pune Mirror and Hindustan Times, and has spent close to a decade writing for digital platforms and print publications – The Tribune, BR International magazine, Make My Trip, Killer Features, The Money Times, and Home Review, to name a few. Of the many things she's written about over the years, exploring the space of love and relationships through the prism of psychology excites her the most. Writing is her first and forever love. You can find her on Twitter here.