Ten Contraceptive Myths, Debunked

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by Joe Veix, RH Reality Check

May 11, 2009 - 12:41pm (Print)

Over at the Mirror, Miriam Stoppard has a list of ten contraceptive myths. The list of what she considers to be the most "misleading and dangerous" is included at the bottom of the article.

Some of the myths are common sense, such as myth ten, "Two condoms are safer than one," or myth four, "The morning-after pill has to be used the next day." Confusion over the latter is sort of understandable, as its name might imply usage. Calling it only emergency contraception may avoid the propagation of this myth.

It's important to remember that, although obvious to most of us, to someone a little less informed, who might not have the benefit of sex-ed in their school, discussing and debunking these myths is remarkably helpful and important.

Here's an abridged version, without Stoppard's commentary:

10 Contraceptive Myths:

1 You can't get pregnant if the man hasn't ejaculated
2
You can only get pregnant mid-cycle
3
You can't get pregnant if you're breastfeeding
4
The morning-after pill has to be used the next day
5
Hormonal contraceptives can reduce fertility
6
You need a break from the Pill or patch
7
The Pill makes you fat
8
The implant moves around the body
9
Only mums can use an IUS or IUD
10
Two condoms are safer than one

Are there any she missed, that we could add to the list?

 

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9 comments
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Anonymous Breastfeeding is effective May 11, 2009 - 4:28pm

Breastfeeding is effective birth control.

0
JAN No, it's not! May 11, 2009 - 5:39pm

I know of two women who got pregnant on that myth. While it may appear to work for some people, for others, it does not. Why chance it??

0
Quill2006 Yes, the question was what May 11, 2009 - 11:32pm

Yes, the question was what other MYTHS are there. The poster is suggesting that breastfeeding=contraception is a myth.

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Anonymous I wish my OB/GYN would read May 11, 2009 - 5:44pm

I wish my OB/GYN would read #9. I'm having trouble with oral hormonal contraceptives, and have been recommended to try an IUD a few times.

Only to get the "I guess it's too bad you've not had a kid" line afterwards.

0
Anonymous I would change May 16, 2009 - 6:08pm

I would change doctors....that's too much judgement placed on you. It's your choice.

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Progo35 Anon- May 11, 2009 - 10:56pm

Anon-
I am not trying to fearmonger, as I know that birth control devices change, but I would definitely recommend NOT using an IUD if other methods are available. My mom used an IUD and that is why she and my dad were unable to have any biological children after my brother. (The IUD was manufactored by the same company that makes dimatap, and a lot of women had the same problem in the 1970s). Obviously, there are different devices available now, but I'd definitely recommend using almost any other type of birth control.
"Well behaved women seldom make history."-Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

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Anonymous Today's IUD is completely May 12, 2009 - 7:51am

Today's IUD is completely different from what your mum used. Look up the facts, there is nothing to fear from today's IUD.

Women should feel confident exploring this option. If your doc says you have to have had children first... time to find another doc.

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Scarlett And I know people who have May 16, 2009 - 9:49pm

And I know people who have gotten pregnant while on the pill. And people who have gotten pregnant while using condoms. Are those not effective birth control, either?

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colleen Scarlett, Just on the off May 16, 2009 - 11:44pm

Scarlett,

Just on the off chance that yours is a genuine question,

 Here's a chart comparing the effectiveness of various birth control methods. 

For a woman who does not want to become pregnant and for those of us who would honor their judgement CLEARLY some methods are superior to others. In this case  most of the methods recommended have a typical failure rate of 25% or more.

The exception is LAM but, one has to have had a child and even then as you can see, it's good to go for just six months and only if menstruation does not resume in that period of time.