Urban Myths on Contraceptives

Urban myths about birth control and contraception come with a high price tag of pregnancy. You may have received most of your sex ed from friends rather than parents, teachers or doctors. This creates inaccurate information and sometimes risky behavior. Dispel the common myths about contraception and pregnancy to keep yourself, your children and your partners free of unplanned pregnancies.

You Can’t Get Pregnant If…

Many myths about contraception center around an inability to get pregnant in given situations. You can, in fact, get pregnant the first time you have sex, if you are breastfeeding, if you are standing up, if you urinate after sex, and if you douche after sex. While pregnancy is unlikely to occur during menstruation, you should realize that each woman’s cycle is individual. Relying upon a calendar without carefully monitoring signs of fertility will not provide contraceptive protection.

Birth Control Pill

While oral contraceptives are one of the most popular birth control choices, many myths remains. Birth control pills do not cause cancer or birth defects. They may relieve or improve hormonal acne, irregular menstrual cycles and heavy menstrual bleeding. All birth control pills are not the same. It may take several tries to find a pill that agrees with your body. Oral contraceptives provide no protection against HIV or other STDs. Combine their use with condoms, if you are not in a committed, monogamous relationship.

Condoms

Condoms are a necessity in the modern world, both as a contraceptive and to prevent the spread of diseases. Condoms, when used perfectly, are 98 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. While condoms are key for STD prevention, they cannot prevent all STDs. Herpes and HPV can be spread even with appropriate condom usage. If one is good, two is not better. Wearing two condoms will increase friction and may cause breakage.