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Myths Surrounding the Use of the Pill

You may ask yourself how you can take the Pill with all the terrible things it does to your body. The answer to this is a simple one. The things you hear about the Pill being bad are myths. No method of contraception is perfect, but the Pill has wound up with a bad reputation that it does not deserve. It is a very effective method of contraception, nearly one hundred percent effective, and it would be used more if the myths and fairy tales about the problems related to its use were dispelled.

One of the myths associated with using the Pill as a means of contraception is that you should give your body a break from it by going off once a year. The only thing that this accomplishes is increasing the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy. Your health care provider will tell you that the Pill is made for women to be on, straight without taking any breaks, for at least ten to fifteen years.

How many women have heard that using the Pill increases the risks of cancer? This is actually the exact opposite of the facts. Studies have shown that women who use this method of contraception actually have less risk of developing ovarian or uterine cancer. The Pill appears to cut this risk by as much as fifty percent. As a matter of fact many researchers believe that the Pill is such a safeguard against these types of cancers that they are pushing to have all women take the Pill for at least five years as a preventive measure. Researchers will say that they have not found any conclusive evidence that the Pill causes cancer of any kind. As well, women who use the Pill have less risk of ovarian cysts. They are less likely to have acne or anemia. The Pill also helps to diminish menstrual cramps to the point that women who use the Pill miss less school or work due to the discomfort of cramps during their period.

You may have heard that physicians will not prescribe the Pill if you smoke. This is only partially true. Your health care provider will prescribe the pill to you if you smoke as long as you are under thrifty five. Cigarettes increase your risk of stroke. After thirty five the combination of smoking cigarettes and talking the Pill becomes less safe. At that age most physicians will change the method of birth control for their patients to be cautious and lessen any extra risk.

One of the myths is that age plays a role in when a woman should stop taking the pill. This is not true. If a woman is healthy, has no issue with blood pressure or any increased risks for heart attack or stroke, then there is no reason why she cannot continue using the Pill, if it is one of the low dose types, right up until she reaches menopause. They provide several positive effects one of which is to help control irregular periods.