While for some women the pill is a symbol of freedom, sexuality and
choice, other women have developed a prejudice against this form of
contraception. Among the prejudices one of the most common is that
contraceptive pill was unnatural, immoral mean that damage fertility.
In the meantime, there have been many changes - the position of women
was slowly changing towards a complete equalization of the sexes, the world has
become more receptive to new ideas and traditional patterns of behavior are
adapting to the modern pace of life. One thing is sure: although the pill is a
drug that has, most commonly, been
perfected through time, even though for the woman it provides effective
protection against unwanted pregnancy, although it has excellent results in the
regulation of messy cycles, PMS and acne - there are still survived many
misconceptions and myths about the pill and they have a compelling impact on
woman's decision to (not) use it.
The American organization for family planning (Planned Parenthood
Organization of America) lists seven common "myths", misconception
that rule of hormonal contraceptives:
Myth 1: contraceptive pills do not provide complete protection
against pregnancy
Truth: Women who take birth control pills correctly and consistently,
without errors, fewer than one in 100 users will get pregnant.
Taking contraceptive pills is very simple: If you are primers ie you
start with the first box, you drink first pill the first day of the menstrual
cycle. Select a pill marked the day of the week corresponding to the day when
you start (for the day Wednesday, find pill labeled "Wed"). Then
follow the arrows, so you will always know whether you have drunk pill that
day. Drink them 21 day, every day at approximately the
same time (choose morning or evening). This is followed by a pause of 7 days,
after which (8th day) you begin with the next box (you no longer need to cling
to the first day of the menstrual cycle, just follow the rhythm: 21 days you
drink, 7 days you do not drink). If a girl / woman is properly informed, there
are ways to "bridge" possible errors in the form of missed pills.
Therefore, it is always useful to save the user guide. If you have not saved
contact your doctor.
Myth 2: It takes a pause in taking contraceptive pills every nine
months
Truth: There is no medical reason for making a break in taking oral
contraceptives. There is no need for making a break because: there is no
medical benefit from such a break; making a break can lead to unwanted
pregnancy; termination or re-start taking birth control pills may require
re-adaptation; breaks reduce the positive effects of taking oral hormonal
contraception.
Myth 3: Women gain with weight if they take birth control pills
Truth: For some women taking birth control pills during emerges
weight gain. However, some women lose their with weight over a period of oral
contraceptives.
It should first be noted that with age naturally "gain
weight", if you continue with the same caloric intake.
The estrogen component of contraceptive pills can cause temporary
effect of fluid retention that users feel as swelling or adding weight. Thanks
to the innovations of the pharmaceutical industry there is a contraceptive pill
(there is in our pharmacies), which is the most modern in this regard, namely,
in addition to providing effective contraception and has a positive impact on
the condition of the skin and hair, and eliminate excess fluid from the body.
Myth 4: The pills are not safe
Truth: Complications related to pregnancy and childbirth carry at
least two times higher risk of mortality than taking pills.
Many studies point to the fact of significantly higher risks of
pregnancy and childbirth than taking birth control pills .. However, more than
60% of women mistakenly believe that taking oral hormonal contraception is
highly risky.
Myth 5: Taking hormonal contraceptives cause cancer
True: taking hormonal contraceptive pills have a protective effect
towards ovarian cancer and detrimental cancer. They are extremely useful in
poly cystic ovary syndrome, painful menstruation (dysfunctional bleeding,
abundant, prolonged cycles, scarce cycles), etc., recurrences of functional
ovarian cysts (preference is given to preparations with a higher dose of
estrogen), PMS, cases of ovarian cancer in mother, sisters and other close
relative (preference is given to preparations with a low dose of estrogen, pain
in the pelvic endometriosis conditioned (preparations for the dominant action
of progesterone).
Studies have shown that hormonal contraception has a protective
effect towards the ovarian cancer and detrimental cancer. Also, most experts
believe that they does not increase the risk of breast cancer. He stated that
hormonal contraceptives may induce hereditary liver cancer or cervical cancer
have never been clearly proven so far in controlled clinical studies.
Myth 6: Taking contraceptive pills cause heart attack, stroke, and
the formation of thrombi
Truth: There is no increase in the risk of myocardial infarction and
stroke in a group of women who use contraceptives and who do not smoke.
Regarding the risk of thrombosis, there is a slight increase in risk
- the risk increases of 5-20 per 100 000 women per year, 15-20 per 100 000
women per year.
Myth 7: Contraceptive pills can cause damage to the fetus
Truth: Taking contraceptive pills does not cause the occurrence of
birth defects, nor in any way affect the future health of the child, even if a
woman becomes pregnant during their intake, which is confirmed by numerous
studies and clinical observations.
In considering these misconceptions about taking the contraceptive
pill, it should be noted another very widespread false belief - that the
beneficiary of hormonal contraception become hairy. Such an opinion is
widespread and deeply rooted in our society, although certain birth control pills
contain so-called anti-androgen and progesterone,and such pills have additional
positive effect on skin and hair, which varies to a pronounced cosmetic effect
on oily skin and hair to the therapeutic action in patients with more severe
forms of acne.
The origin of these misconceptions or false beliefs about hormonal
oral contraception encourages:
-from erroneously interpreted the side effects without taking into
consideration the fact that only a small number of women actually experience
these negative side effects,
-because of spreading lies by individuals or organizations that do
not want women to plan their families by taking oral hormonal contraceptives,
-some misconceptions are based on the experience of women taking
hormonal contraceptives earlier generations, who had high doses of estrogen +
progesterone, and therefore a larger number and greater incidence of adverse
side effects (transfer of experience between old women with young women).
Many experts believe that much more information is given about the
negative effects or risk of taking oral contraceptives, than about the positive
effects. The great is the role of media in spreading misconceptions about the
use of oral contraceptives. For negative phenomenon is usually done on women
who had other diseases and conditions, and that the use of hormonal
contraception is not recommended due to the increased risk. Therefore, it is
necessary to give full information about the risks but also about the positive
aspects of these methods to a potential beneficiary could make a rational
decision on their application.
