Birth Control Pill Myths vs. Facts
To all the ladies out there using BCPs to prevent pregnancy in these difficult times, here is all you need to know.
During the pandemic, most women are trying to delay pregnancy; and those who have been pregnant are urging others to wait.
Although there are so many methods of contraception, the pill is the most popular and effective one. Yet this contraceptive method raises so many concerns, mainly due to common myths and misconceptions.
I also used to believe in these myths until my gynecologist — and a lot of research — showed me otherwise.
1. Birth Control Damages Fertility Myth
My doctor says that the only disadvantage of the pill is that it masks existing gynecological issues. So unless you already have serious medical conditions, like endometriosis, that are usually related to infertility. You will do just fine. The pill has nothing to do with your infertility.
However, using the pill to suppress symptoms instead of diagnosing the source of the problem is a bad idea; not because it increases infertility, but because it delays diagnosis and thus, hinders effective treatment.
While most women use the pill to prevent pregnancy, many women use it to stop or control irregular bleeding, endometriosis symptoms, painful ovulation, painful periods, painful fibroids or cysts, PCOS, and other concerns.
Sure the pill alleviates the symptoms by stopping the regular menstrual cycle, but masking these symptoms does not actually treat these disorders.
“So, before you go and try and mask the symptoms of endometriosis and the actual diseases itself, with the pill, Mirena, or other current medical approaches, ask yourself this: what are you doing to prevent the cause of the disease in the first place?”- Dr. Andrew Orr, a Women’s Health and Reproductive Specialist.
To avoid these kinds of problems, never take birth control without consulting a gynecologist. There are tests that you have to take first. These will determine whether you could take the pill or not; they will also reveal health problems you might have, specifically related to fertility. All of which is very important so you can make sure this kind of contraception is right for you; and that it won't conceal any existing health issues you might have.
Rates of Pregnancy After Stopping the Pill
Research by Obsterics and Gynecology shows that oral-contraceptive use does not negatively affect conception in the short-term or during one year period after trying to conceive.
Overall, 21.1% of the past oral-contraceptive users were pregnant one cycle after oral-contraceptive cessation, and 79.4% were pregnant at 1 year (13 cycles). These stats are very similar to women who have never used oral contraception.
We tend to think that contraception can delay fertility because we are led to believe that getting pregnant is way easier than it actually is. So if a woman doesn’t conceive after a few months of trying, it’s easy to blame it on birth control. But the truth is a woman's fertile days are only 6 in a 28-day menstrual cycle; that is a 21.4% probability of conception per month, which is not very high. Not to mention that this rate of fertility decreases over time, especially for a woman in her 30s.
There are so many factors that play a role in fertility, such as health conditions, your partner's fertility, stress, being overweight, smoking, taking certain medications, etc. So we can't just relate infertility to birth control, not when research and doctors say otherwise.
2. Antibiotics Reduce the Effectiveness of Birth Control Myth
A study published in PMC, and adopted by the National Health Service, claims that the only type of antibiotic that can interact with hormonal contraception and make it less effective is rifampin, a medication used to treat TB(a serious infection that affects the lungs and sometimes other parts of the body).
Reports of oral contraceptive failure seem to be most numerous in women using rifampin; this is the only antibiotic that makes oral contraceptives unreliable — in this case, a second method of contraception is mandatory. Although it is thought that some other antibiotics might interfere with contraception, studies haven't been able to show an interaction exists, except for rifampin. This issue is further complicated because there are also scattered case reports associating multivitamins, anticonvulsants, antihistamines, and anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as antibiotics, with reduced oral contraceptive efficacy.
Oral contraceptive drug interactions are thought by some to be more significant in women taking low-dose birth control, although much controversy exists; thus, one solution might be a higher dosage. However, it is not the best solution because antibiotics are generally prescribed on a short-term basis, therefore it is rather impractical and harmful to increase the estrogen content of the pill.
3. Birth Control and Weight Gain Myth
Weight gain and body image are a huge deal for women. Most people are terrified of birth control because they believe they will gain weight. Is there real evidence of weight gain though? 44 studies collated by Grimes’ group showed no difference in weight gain between those on the pill and those not. Nor there was any effect on appetite.
“The most logical explanation is that all of us, men and women, gain weight with age.”
Another study published in the Oxford Academic, suggests that there is no evidence supporting weight gain with the use of low dose combined oral contraceptive pill. Researchers claim that women need to have these misperceptions corrected with the help of their gynecologists, family planning doctors, and most importantly, mass media.
Gynecologists, practitioners, and doctors provide 65% of the source of COC information; with mass media providing 25% of such information. These agents need to contribute in some way to reduce the rates of unintended pregnancy, and increase contraception awareness; especially for adolescents who tend to be even more insecure about their appearances.
4. Birth Control Causes Headaches Myth
Another red flag that holds women back from birth control is the association of the pill with headaches. Which is not completely true. My gynecologist told me that if headaches or any other side effects persist more than two/three months from starting the pill, then it means that this birth control is not for you; meaning, headaches shouldn't be part of being on a birth control lifestyle.
"The estrogen in hormonal birth control may make headaches worse in some people and better than others."
Holly Ernst, a physician assistant specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, suggests that people with migraines who take pills that contain estrogen may be more sensitive to the hormones in birth control pills; aka are more likely to suffer from headaches.
A person on hormonal birth control usually takes active pills, which contain hormones, for 3 weeks, and placebo pills for 1 week. When a person takes inactive pills, their estrogen levels suddenly drop; this can trigger headaches, including migraines.
However, this is not the case for everyone. Some people find that birth control pills help with their headaches. That is because hormonal contraceptives regulate the menstrual cycle; as hormonal levels become more consistent throughout the month, a reduction in headaches can result.
Before getting prescribed birth control, a patient must talk to their doctor about their migraines, which are different from tension headaches (migraines often occur with other symptoms such as, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, visual auras). In such a case, the person has to receive a professional diagnosis before discussing birth control options.
5. Birth Control Causes Cancer Myth
There is no evidence of a direct link between oral contraceptives and cancer risk.
Data from observational studies can’t definitively establish a relationship between birth control and cancer. That is because women who take oral contraceptives to prevent pregnancy may differ from those who take them in ways other than their oral contraceptive use. It is possible that these other differences — rather than oral contraceptive use — are what explains their different cancer risk.
Some studies have provided data showing that the risks of breast and cervical cancers are increased in women who use oral contraceptives. However, the benefits still outweigh the risks; the same studies have found that the use of contraceptives reduces the risks of endometrial, ovarian, and colorectal cancers.
Summary:
The pill isn't for everyone, but that also doesn't mean it is bad for everyone. I get it. Being on medication is scary for most of us, but better be safe than sorry.
Pregnancy is a great experience and shouldn't be as scary and stressful as it, unfortunately, seems to most women because of the current events — which is quite understandable considering that the social and economic effects of this pandemic are even more significant on women.
If it doesn't feel like it is the right time to conceive right now, it is okay. Consult your doctor, take the tests that you got to take, and you will find the birth control that suits you. There is nothing to worry about. Before getting freaked out because of things you heard around, or things you googled up. Always make sure:
- You are getting your information from reliable sources (not everything you read is true).
- You are talking to your doctor about birth control (your friend's or neighbor's experience with birth control isn't the rule; it is different for everyone depending on the various factors mentioned above).
- You are monitoring your side-effects after starting birth control (if they persist over 3 months, then you should consult your doctor).
- You take a blood test after 3 months of starting birth control (this is my gynecologist's recommendation; even if there are no side-effects, it is better to check and see that this kind of pill is working just right for you).
