Common Misconceptions About Birth Control
1) I can’t get pregnant having sex the first time.
Don’t you believe it! Once you’ve had a menstrual period you are fertile and you can become pregnant. What’s even more astounding is that even right before you have your first period you ovulate which means you could get pregnant. Younger girls are actually more fertile than older women. I’m also going to mention here that little problem of STDs. Even without getting pregnant if you have sex without protection even once you are at risk for a STD.
2) We only had unprotected sex once.
Once is enough. Don’t let anyone talk you into having unprotected sex ever. If you respect yourself then protect yourself. You don’t want to have a lifetime of serious consequences that come from one night’s irresponsibility. If you feel you’re mature enough to have sex then you are mature enough to learn how to protect yourself not only pregnancy but also disease that could have deadly consequences.
3) I won’t get pregnant if he pulls out in time.
To begin with, being able to pull out before ejaculation, takes more control than you might think. Sperm are tiny but determined little things and they are present in fluid before the actual ejaculation. There have even been the rare case of virgins who have become pregnant from “heavy petting” where the male has ejaculated outside the vagina but the semen has soaked through panties or have been close enough to the vaginal opening and with the right conditions present, that one determined little swimmer made it to the prize. So rule of thumb is thisâÂ?¦.any vaginal sex, for any length of time, can result in pregnancy.
4) I can’t get pregnant during my period.
Without making any comments on what a mess that can make; sperm can live up to five days. Research has shown that although you are the most likely to become pregnant mid-cycle apparently your chances of conceiving are not limited to that window. Women’s bodies differ and you may actually ovulate at a different time or more than once during the month. That is also why depending on the rhythm method of birth control, at a time when pregnancy is not an option, is not a good idea. You also increase your chances of contracting HIV, uterine infections, and exposing your partner to urinary tract infectionsâÂ?¦.use a condom even when using other types of birth control.
5) I won’t get pregnant if I douche right afterwards.
This is as good of time to tell you as anyâÂ?¦any type of regular douching is not healthy. In fact healthy women should never douche. The sperm have already left the areaâÂ?¦.douching, showering, bathing, with not prevent pregnancy. I want to repeatâÂ?¦.douching is not healthy and using carbonated beverages to douche will only get you a possible embarrassing moment at your doctor’s office.
6) My boyfriend’s had a vasectomy so I can’t get pregnant.
This is not just a matter of trust, love, or how strong you think your relationship is. Even if you are 100% sure that he is the one. Under no circumstances are you ever to believe this statement unless he has a lab statement that states that he has 0% active sperm count. Even after a vasectomy a man can have active sperm for up to year after the procedure that requires additional birth control measures. That, and this is the most frequent lie told by men not wanting to use a condom with their partners. Furthermore even if he is “sterile” unless you use a condom you will still not be protected against STDs which includes HIV.
7) I don’t have to worry about pregnancy. I’m on the pill.
Good for you. The pill is an effective form of birth control BUT it isn’t 100% foolproof and you can not skip even one day. You still need to use condoms to prevent STDs and cover that small percentage of risk of pregnancy. Using birth control pills properly with condoms each time reduces the risk of pregnancy a huge amount but the only 100% fool proof method to avoid both pregnancy and STDs still is abstinence.
8) I don’t have sex often enough to use the pill.
There are other forms of contraception. Using a sponge can protect you for 24 hours. For spur of the moment use a condom with spermicidal protection. Condoms that have been carried around in a pocket or wallet for awhile needs to be replaced. The warmth of the body breaks down the condom and makes it unreliable. Girls if you are going to be sexually active, have a condom available in your purse (that’s a good use for those inside little pockets you never use). If you’re not positive where his has been, always use yours.
9) I can’t get pregnant as long as I’m breastfeeding.
Yes, you can. Even though your period may slow down and even stop while regularly breastfeeding your baby eventually your period will return and you could ovulate without realizing it.
10) I have too many female problems to get pregnant
Unless your doctor says you can not get pregnant consider yourself fertile. Probably won’t doesn’t count. If you aren’t in a monogamous relationship and/or you don’t want to become pregnant you must use birth control. Usually a barrier method is recommended such as sponge preferably with condom.
11) I’m too old to worry about pregnancy.
Older women do become less fertile as they age but until you quit having periods you must still consider yourself fertile until at least one year after your periods have quit. After one full year without periods if you aren’t in monogamous relationship and still sexually active then you still need to use condoms. If you are in a monogamous relationshipâÂ?¦.whoo hoooâÂ?¦.go crazy and don’t worry anymore.
