Misinformation related to birth control

Misinformation related to birth control pertains to incorrect or misleading information surrounding birth control and its medical, legal and societal implications. This misinformation is mostly related to contraceptive methods that do not contain basis in science. Belief in this misinformation can deter people from using effective solutions in favor of solutions that are entirely ineffective and, in some cases, harmful to health.

Commonly propagated misinformation

Misconceptions and myths around negative side effects of birth control

The myth that birth control increases the risk of transmitting a sexually transmitted infection:^[1] Some forms of birth control, namely condoms and dental dams, can prevent the transmission of STIs by providing a barrier for skin to skin contact and fluid exchange.^[2] Some forms of hormonal birth control, such as the pill, prevent pregnancy but do not prevent the spread of STIs.^[2] The pill has been shown preliminarily to increase the chances of certain types of STI transmission slightly, while lowering the risk of spread of others.^[3]
The myth that taking birth control pills negatively impacts future fertility:^[1] Oral contraceptives prevent pregnancy temporarily but haven to been shown to significantly impact future fertility. The body's hormonal balance typically restores to regular, pre-pill levels within a few cycles after discontinuing the pill.^[4]
The myth that IUDs can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease:^[5] The risk of developing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease following the insertion of an IUD has been proven to be very low. IUDs are considered amongst the safest and most effective forms of birth control.^[6]
The myth that birth control negatively impacts libido and sexual attraction:^[1] While hormonal birth control such as the pill may impact libido, most people taking birth control won't experience any change. For the small percentage that do, some may experienced decreased libido, while others may experience increased libido.^[7]
The misconception that male birth control causes exploding testicles ^[8]
The misconception that contraception causes blood clots and death: ^[9]^[10] While birth control pills, namely those with estrogen have been shown to increase the risk of blood clots, this increase is small—at most 10 in 10,000 people per year develop blood clots from being on birth control pills.^[11] Women with a history of blood clots are at much higher risk and should consult a doctor.
The myth that use of birth control affects future fertility: Research shows that both long and short term birth control pills do not affect the future ability to have children. Individuals with IUDs can get pregnant after the IUD is removed.^[12] Fertility declines with age, and it has no significant effect on use of birth control methods.^[13]
The misconception that birth control increases the risk of cancer: Birth control pills actually decrease the chance of getting endometrial, ovarian and colon cancer.^[13]
The misconceptions that all birth control pills can cause stroke or blood clots: Individuals with uncontrolled high blood pressure, lupus, migraines with aura or depression needing further monitoring are not given birth control pills containing combination hormones because it increases their chances of getting a stroke or blood clots elsewhere in the body.^[13] In that case, an IUD is a better choice.^[14]
Birth control pills cause weight gain: Studies have shown that the effect of birth control pills on weight gain is relatively small or nil. Birth control pills can cause water retention. The progesterone components of the pill can make some people more hungry, leading to weight gain.^[13]^[14]

Misconceptions and myths around a women's menstrual cycle / maternity and birth control

The misconception that the woman is only fertile one day of the month:^[5] While women's cycles are generally regular, hormones involved in the menstrual cycle can be impacted by a number of factors, including medication and stress. This can cause ovulation to happen on a different day than expected, or for more than one day per month, resulting in fertile days that a woman may not anticipate even if actively tracking her cycle.^[15]
The myth that women can't get pregnant right after their period:^[12] Although ovulation typically occurs around 10–16 days before the next period, various factors can cause early ovulation in any given cycle; some women also have naturally short ovulation cycles, making them more likely to get pregnant closer to the end of their period.^[16]
The myth that active breastfeeding prevents pregnancy:^[5] Breastfeeding is shown to help prevent ovulation in certain circumstances: the baby is younger than 6 months old; breastfeeding happens at least every four hours during the day and every six hours overnight; the woman is currently not having her period. While adhering strictly to these conditions shows success rates similar to hormonal birth control, they are difficult to adhere to and may not be practical for many women.^[16]

Misconceptions and myths around sexual practices and birth control

The myth that if the woman doesn't orgasm, she can't get pregnant:^[5] Women ovulate each month as part of their regular menstrual cycle. Pregnancy occurs when a sperm fertilizes an egg that has been released in ovulation. This happens regardless of whether a woman has an orgasm.
The misconception that if the woman douches after sex, she won't get pregnant:^[5] Douching is washing out the vagina with fluids. It does not prevent pregnancy and is often advised against more generally by doctors.^[17]
The myth that the woman won't get pregnant if she has sex standing up or is on top.^[5] Sperm is able to move up the cervical canal regardless of the position the woman is in during sex.
The myth that plastic wrap or a balloon are acceptable condom substitutes:^[5] Plastic wrap and balloons, besides not being designed for the shape of a penis, are not durable and may not serve as an effective barrier.
The myth that the woman won't get pregnant if the man pulls out before ejaculation:^[5] While more effective than no birth control at all, pulling out before ejaculation is less effective than other birth control methods—approximately one in five people who rely on this method will get pregnant.^[18]
The myth that the woman can't get pregnant if it is her first time having sex:^[5] The number of times you've had sex has no bearing on whether or not you become pregnant—you can become pregnant the first time you have sex.
The myth that the woman won't get pregnant if she takes a shower or urinates after sex:^[5] While urinating after sex may help prevent infections like UTIs, it will not prevent pregnancy.^[19]

Misconceptions around vaccines and infertility

There have been a number of myths about different vaccines causing infertility,^[20]^[21]^[22]^[23]^[24] from vaccines for tetanus to COVID-19 to smallpox falsely associated with infertility. However, no vaccines have been found to be associated with infertility.

Plants erroneously believed to prevent pregnancy

Plants erroneously believed to prevent pregnancy: Several plants are erraneously believed to prevent pregnancy, such as smartweed, wild yam, Pennroyal, Black Cohosh, Angelica, papaya, neem, asafoetida, figs and ginger. None of these plants have been found to be beneficial for achieving contraception.^[25]

Misconceptions and myths around how birth control works

The myth that birth control causes abortions. This misconception is documented as blocking access^[26]
- Birth control is prevention, not interruption of pregnancy. However, between 2022 and 2024, a number of lawmakers across the United States publicized claims that IUDs and morning-after pills cause abortions and should therefore not be funded by taxpayer money.^[26] In 2022, a group of conservative, anti-abortion Missouri lawmakers attempted to stop their state's Medicaid from paying for emergency contraceptives and IUDs on these grounds.^[26] In February 2024, Oklahoma lawmakers proposed a bill to ban the morning-after pill and some IUDs.^[26] In May 2024, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed a bill protecting access to contraception, citing that some Virginians believed contraception causes abortions and thus protecting access would intrude on their religious freedoms.^[26] These false assertions and the publicity surrounding them have amounted to barriers to access to birth control–in the 13 states in the United States that had total abortion bans at the end of 2024, many women believe they can no longer access some forms of birth control.^[26] A survey in 2023 found that almost half of women in states where abortion is fulled banned believe Plan B is illegal in their states.^[26]
The myth that birth control pills are effective immediately after taking the initial dose(s):^[5] Different types of pills have different windows for when efficacy begins, though none is immediately effective after the initial dose.^[27]
The misconception that IUDs cannot or should not be used prior to having had a baby: IUDs are completely safe to use even in individuals who have never been pregnant before.^[13]
Antibiotics impact the efficacy of birth control pills:Except for a tuberculosis drug Rifampicin, antibiotics generally do not decrease the efficacy of birth control pills.^[13]