Myth #1: The Pill makes you gain weight
Reality: The truth is, it might depend on your prescription. In 2011, researchers at the Cochran Database System Review analyzed 49 studies that compared a variety of birth control methods with placebos and found no evidence that birth control causes weight gain. However, a 2009 study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that women using the Depo-Provera shot gained an average of 11 pounds and increased their body fat by 3.4 percent over three years, though they're not sure what caused this effect. If you're concerned about gaining weight, talk to your doctor about the best option for you.
Reality: The truth is, it might depend on your prescription. In 2011, researchers at the Cochran Database System Review analyzed 49 studies that compared a variety of birth control methods with placebos and found no evidence that birth control causes weight gain. However, a 2009 study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that women using the Depo-Provera shot gained an average of 11 pounds and increased their body fat by 3.4 percent over three years, though they're not sure what caused this effect. If you're concerned about gaining weight, talk to your doctor about the best option for you.
Myth #2: You don't need to be on birth control if you're breastfeeding.
Reality: This very common myth is totally false—and probably to blame for many unplanned pregnancies . The truth: breastfeeding exclusively (without supplementing with formula) can suppress the hormones from the pituitary gland that make you ovulate. So while there's certainly a dip in your fertility at this time, it's nowhere near foolproof. "And if you breastfeed sometimes while supplementing with formula, all bets are off."
Reality: This very common myth is totally false—and probably to blame for many unplanned pregnancies . The truth: breastfeeding exclusively (without supplementing with formula) can suppress the hormones from the pituitary gland that make you ovulate. So while there's certainly a dip in your fertility at this time, it's nowhere near foolproof. "And if you breastfeed sometimes while supplementing with formula, all bets are off."
Myth #3: You have to take the Pill at the same time every day.
Reality: Despite what you may have heard, taking the Pill at the same time each day does not make it more effective. This common belief is only true if you're taking the mini-pill (a progestin-only birth control pill which must be taken at the same time every day), however the majority of women take the regular birth control pill, which contains a combination of estrogen and progestin. That said, you might want to stick to a strict schedule if you have trouble remembering to take it or if you're on a very low-dose form of the Pill, as you may experience some breakthrough bleeding.
Reality: Despite what you may have heard, taking the Pill at the same time each day does not make it more effective. This common belief is only true if you're taking the mini-pill (a progestin-only birth control pill which must be taken at the same time every day), however the majority of women take the regular birth control pill, which contains a combination of estrogen and progestin. That said, you might want to stick to a strict schedule if you have trouble remembering to take it or if you're on a very low-dose form of the Pill, as you may experience some breakthrough bleeding.
Myth #4: Being on the Pill for a long time will make it harder to get pregnant later.
Reality: It might seem hard to believe, but it's possible to get pregnant as soon as you stop taking birth control. This holds true for all methods of hormonal contraceptives, with the exception of the Depo-Provera shot. It can take up to 6-9 months for all of the hormones in the shot to leave your body before your fertility is restored. That said, it's still possible to get pregnant during this time, so don't count on this buffer period for contraception. The bottom line: Birth control will not screw with your fertility long term.
Reality: It might seem hard to believe, but it's possible to get pregnant as soon as you stop taking birth control. This holds true for all methods of hormonal contraceptives, with the exception of the Depo-Provera shot. It can take up to 6-9 months for all of the hormones in the shot to leave your body before your fertility is restored. That said, it's still possible to get pregnant during this time, so don't count on this buffer period for contraception. The bottom line: Birth control will not screw with your fertility long term.
