Birth control myths Things Most People Get Wrong About Birth Control

Birth control myths Things Most People Get Wrong About Birth Control 1. You need to take the pill at the same time every day or it's not effective. Not unless you actually can't remember it without an alarm. As long as you take the pill once a day, the effectiveness will stay the same, Dr. Lauren Streicher, OB-GYN and author of Sex Rx, tells BuzzFeed Life. In fact, even if you miss one pill, the recommendation is to take two pills the following day — there's no need for backup birth control unless you miss more than one in a row. The exception: If you're taking the progestin-only minipill (an estrogen-free option that's not super common). With this pill, you do need to take it at the same time each day or it's less effective. The only other caution is when starting a new pill pack. Since you just had a week of inactive pills, it's more important that you start your new pack on time and on the right day. Taking it too late may reduce its effectiveness, says Streicher. BuzzFeed Life Share Pin Not unless you actually can't remember it without an alarm. As long as you take the pill once a day, the effectiveness will stay the same, Dr. Lauren Streicher, OB-GYN and author of Sex Rx, tells BuzzFeed Life. In fact, even if you miss one pill, the recommendation is to take two pills the following day — there's no need for backup birth control unless you miss more than one in a row. The exception: If you're taking the progestin-only minipill (an estrogen-free option that's not super common). With this pill, you do need to take it at the same time each day or it's less effective. The only other caution is when starting a new pill pack. Since you just had a week of inactive pills, it's more important that you start your new pack on time and on the right day. Taking it too late may reduce its effectiveness, says Streicher. 2. Birth control = all of the hormones. instagram.com Well, not necessarily. The type and amount of hormones in each method varies, so the one you choose should be a very individual decision, Dr. Alyssa Dweck, OB-GYN and coauthor of V Is for Vagina, tells BuzzFeed Life. And if you want or need to go hormone-free, there are options! You can try the copper IUD, a barrier method (like condoms or diaphragms) or fertility awareness–based methods, which involve carefully tracking your cycles and your body's patterns to avoid unprotected sex when you're ovulating. 3. The pill makes you gain tons of weight. Not true, says Streicher. A large review from 2014 didn't find sufficient evidence that birth control pills or patches cause weight gain, though a 2009 study did find that people using the birth control shot typically gain weight. Of course, some people gain weight and some people lose weight while taking the pill, but there's not enough evidence to blame it on the birth control. Logo / Via memecrunch.com Share Pin Not true, says Streicher. A large review from 2014 didn't find sufficient evidence that birth control pills or patches cause weight gain, though a 2009 study did find that people using the birth control shot typically gain weight. Of course, some people gain weight and some people lose weight while taking the pill, but there's not enough evidence to blame it on the birth control. 4. Being on birth control too long can mess with your fertility. There's no research to suggest that birth control itself can impact your future fertility, says Dweck. So why do some people have trouble getting pregnant after taking it for 20 years? Well, increased age would certainly be a factor — if you're 40 when you stop the pill, then yes, you'll probably have a harder time getting pregnant. And if you went on birth control to deal with irregular cycles or a condition like PCOS or endometriosis, those issues could return once you stop birth control, and they can also impact your fertility, says Dweck. Here's lots more you should know about fertility. Jupiterimages / Getty Images / Via thinkstockphotos.com Share Pin There's no research to suggest that birth control itself can impact your future fertility, says Dweck. So why do some people have trouble getting pregnant after taking it for 20 years? Well, increased age would certainly be a factor — if you're 40 when you stop the pill, then yes, you'll probably have a harder time getting pregnant. And if you went on birth control to deal with irregular cycles or a condition like PCOS or endometriosis, those issues could return once you stop birth control, and they can also impact your fertility, says Dweck. Here's lots more you should know about fertility. 5. You should really take a break from birth control every once in a while. Only if you want to get pregnant. There's no medical reason to take a break from your birth control method if you're in good health and having no problems with it, say the experts. Even if you're not having sex right now. In fact, stopping and starting may actually put you at

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