If one were a fly on the wall listening in on a typical mother-daughter conversation, one might hear the following:

Mother: Dear, now that you are married, when are you going to have kids?
Daughter: Hmmm, maybe in a few years, after I’ve enjoyed married life for a while.
Mother: Don’t wait too long, you’re already 30 and the clock is ticking …
Daughter: Don’t worry, I have my family planning covered. I think the Pill is the most convenient way.
Mother: Are you sure you want to go on the Pill? You might not be able to conceive when you are ready to be pregnant!

The mother just stated one of the most common myths concerning the contraceptive Pill. To help you separate myth from fact, here’s a list of myths surrounding the contraceptive pill.

Myth #1: The Pill causes cancer
Fact#1: Oral contraceptive pills actually protect women from ovarian cancer and uterine cancer.5 When researchers from Harvard Medical School analysed 20 studies on oral contraceptive use and ovarian cancer, they found that the risk of ovarian cancer actually decreased with increasing duration of oral contraceptive use (10-12% decrease in risk after a year of use, and about 50% decrease after five years of use).

The use of the pill has also been shown to significantly reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. This protective effect also increases with the length of time the pill is used, and continues for many years after a woman stops using oral contraceptive pills.

It can however, very slightly increase the risk of breast cancer. As breast cancer is not common in women under 40 years of age, the excess number of breast cancer diagnoses in current and recent contraceptive pill users is small in relation to overall risk of breast cancer in the population.

Myth #2: The Pill causes birth defects
Fact #2: To date, about 100 million women worldwide have benefited from the use of the Pill and enjoy a better quality of life. There is no evidence that links use of the Pill with birth defects.

Myth #3: The Pill affects fertility
Fact #3: Most women rapidly return to their pre-existing level of fertility upon discontinuing the Pill. Fertility is affected by age. Many women take the Pill as a form of contraception during their younger years. However, by the time they decide to be off the Pill in order to conceive, their increased age has reduced their chances of pregnancy  his practice may contribute to the false perception that the pill affects fertility.

In fact, the Pill actually protects women against ectopic pregnancies and fibroids, conditions which may have an impact on fertility. These additional proven non-contraceptive benefits extend well into the shaping of society while influencing the social economic development of humanity.

For women with irregular periods before starting the Pill, a short period of time may be required before fertility returns.

Myth #4: The Pill is only used for contraception
Fact #4: In addition to protecting women against unplanned pregnancies, the Pill is also effective in reducing ovulation pain, menstrual cramps and PMS symptoms. It can reduce the risk of anaemia, a condition common in women experiencing heavy periods.

The Pill also protects women against ectopic pregnancy, osteoporosis, ovarian cysts and ovarian cancer.

Myth #5: The contraceptive pill is effective as soon as a woman starts taking it
Fact #5: The Pill is only effective from day one if it is started on the first day of the menstrual cycle i.e. the first day of menstruation and taken daily as prescribed thereafter. Otherwise, an additional method of contraception i.e. condom should be used. For some women, the Pill may work more effectively after one complete menstrual cycle of treatment if more time is needed to work with the woman’s natural hormones to prevent ovulation.

Myth #6: Taking the Pill will delay menopause
Fact #6: Taking the Pill does not delay or affect the onset of menopause in a women. The average age of menopause in women is between 45 and 55 years old.

Myth #7: The Pill results in automatic termination of pregnancy
Fact #7: Taking the Pill does not result in automatic termination of pregnancy. It is strongly advised that a doctor is consulted to confirm a pregnancy. Further advice and instructions will be given by the doctor.

In the event of non-consensual intercourse or failure to use contraception, the Emergency Contraceptive Pill (commonly known as ‘the morning after pill’) can be used. If properly administered, it is effective in reducing the chance of pregnancy.

Myth #8: All oral contraceptives are the same
Fact #8: There are many oral contraceptives available to women, and each has different benefits. In addition to preventing pregnancy, new low-dose oral contraceptives have added benefits including, in the case of an extended active regimen, a reduction in the symptoms associated with menstruation such as headaches, cramps and breast tenderness due to a shortened hormone-free interval.

The 24/4 regimen pill has the unique progestogen drospirenone (DRSP) which is the only combined oral contraceptive (COC) with proven antimineralcorticoid (no weight gain) and antiandrogenic (improvement of mild to moderate acne conditions) properties. It is the only COC that is clinically proven to give women relief from the physical and emotional symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), reduce weight gain, and other physical symptoms due to water retention as well as improve acne, in addition to effectively preventing pregnancy.

It is important to speak with your healthcare provider when deciding which product and method of contraception is best suited for your needs or health condition.

Myth #9: Oral contraceptives are not safe
Fact #9: Since their introduction almost 50 years ago, oral contraceptives have become one of the world’s most researched and prescribed medications. Like any medication, there is some health risks associated with oral contraceptives, but serious side effects are very rare when they are taken as prescribed.

Myth #10: The Pill can cause acne
Fact #10: Modern birth control pills or combined oral contraceptives do not cause acne. In fact, there are several new low-dose oral contraceptives available that have been approved to treat moderate acne. The 24/4 pill has the unique progestogen drospirenone (DRSP) which is proven for the treatment of mild & moderate acne for women who requires contraception.

Myth #11: Oral contraceptives cause weight gain
Fact #11: When starting a new oral contraceptive, some women feel bloated, but this rarely exceeds a few pounds and this typically improves with time. Many clinical studies have found no relationship between modern low dose oral contraceptives and weight gain. One explanation for perceived weight gain may be that many women start birth control pills while they are young, at an age when their body has not reached adulthood and when weight gain is common.

The feeling of “bloatedness” is due to water retention, which occurs in the week before menstruation and is commonly believed to be caused by the oestrogen content of the contraceptive pill.

For the first time in the history of the Pill, inclusion of a specific new progestin (hormone) called drospirenone (DRSP) allows women to avoid oestrogen-related water retention that can lead to weight gain and oedema. This antimineralcorticoid feature (reduction of water reabsorption, thus prevention of weight gain) is unique only to drospirenone (DRSP).

Myth #12: Birth control pills stop menstruation entirely
Fact #12: Some women are prescribed birth control pills by their physician to help regulate their cycles. The original oral contraceptives were designed to mimic the natural menstrual cycle of a woman. While some new oral contraceptive regimens are designed to reduce or suppress menstruation entirely, most low-dose oral contraceptive options do not stop menstruation, but provide excellent cycle control instead. However, the duration and volume of menstrual bleeding may be reduced.

Myth #13: Women who take oral contraceptives for a long time need to stop using oral contraceptives and take a “break” once in a while
Fact #13: There is no reason for a healthy woman to take a break from using oral contraceptives. Oral contraceptives are one of the most effective contraceptive options available, and taking a ‘Pill break’ will increase your risk of having an unplanned pregnancy if you are sexually active.

Myth #14: Oral contraceptives protect against Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)
Fact #14: Oral contraceptives offer no protection against HIV/AIDS or any other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD). The best way to prevent STDs is to use a condom or abstinence.

Myth #15: The pill isn’t very effective
Fact #15: When taken correctly and consistently, the Pill is over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. If one forgets to take the pill, it becomes less effective i.e. there is an approximately 8% ‘user failure rate’ and pregnancy might occur6.

Myth #16: The Pill kills sperms
Fact #16: Birth control pills contain hormones that suppress ovulation and stop the eggs from being released from the ovaries, and hence prevent pregnancy. The Pill does not kill sperm.

Myth 17: Taking oral contraceptives past age 40 is risky
Fact #17: The Pill can be taken till one reaches menopause. However, female smokers over 35 years-old, or women with high blood pressure and diabetes have their heart disease and stroke risks elevated if they take the Pill.

One should consult a health care provider to find out what other methods of contraception are best suited for one’s health condition(s).

Myth #18: Birth control pills cause menstrual cycles to cease
Fact #18: The opposite is true – birth control pills can be prescribed to regulate menstrual cycles. The Pill may also help reduce menstrual cramps and lighten blood flow.


    5 National Cancer Institute. Oral Contraceptives Reduce Long-Term Risk of Ovarian Cancer. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/prevention/ovarian/oral-contraceptives Last accessed 15 July 2010.
    6 Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. 2010. Matte stories. The top ten myths about the pill. Retrieved from http://www.sexualityandu.ca/media-room/matte-stories-5.aspx Last accessed 15 July.