6 myths about hormonal contraception

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

It sounds surprising, but, judging by the statistics, in Russia, abortion is still one of the main methods of protection. Can you imagine: while global corporations spend billions annually to develop safer and more convenient contraception, our compatriots rely on interrupted intercourse and a slice of lemon? And as a result, they cause irreparable harm to their mental and physical health. I am already silent about the risk of infertility, but at least you need to feel sorry for yourself?

As shown by a survey of the young ladies around, dense superstitions and fears of "hormones" are unusually tenacious! I'm sure our savvy readers understand these issues as well as I do. Nevertheless, I want to once again dispel the most popular myths about hormonal contraception. If it helps to save at least one girl from abortion, great.

So let's go!

1. Hormones are incredibly harmful, they knock down hormones and "extra" hair grows from them

Hello 70s! Yes, this myth comes from very distant years. The first two generations of pills did have these side effects. In current contraceptives, the amount of hormones is hundreds of times less. In addition, modern products are presented in a huge assortment: they contain various combinations of hormones, taking into account all possible needs. For each specific woman, taking into account the test results, the drug that suits her is selected. In addition to the usual oral contraceptives, the intrauterine hormonal system is gaining popularity, which contains a minimum dose of hormones (7.5 times less than low-dose pills) and acts exclusively locally.

2. I have acne from these hormones of yours

But in the whole civilized world, the very opposite happens (if the analyzes are not neglected). Even a new term has appeared - "beauty contraception"!

Contraceptive pills have been developed, against the background of which the skin, hair and nails (here they are, the three whales of female beauty!) Acquire a healthy, radiant appearance. This is not to spoil your karma with abortions!

3. And I just took 20 kg and got fat

This, of course, is a slippery topic. Largely because we girls are not always ready to face the truth. What is actually happening with you, only you know, and it is not for me to convince you. According to my personal statistics, most of the stories about being overweight are terribly sad, but they are not at all about hormonal contraception. They are about abortion, depression, loneliness, thyroid problems, or even a reluctance to have sex with this particular man. And if you are sure that the matter is in contraception, ask your gynecologist to choose an option for you with a lower content of gestagens, it is these hormones that "control" appetite and body weight.

4. Hormones suppress natural female cycles! What if I can't have children later?

That's what definitely threatens our fertility with you, it's abortion. And hormonal contraception protects the uterus and even serves as the prevention of a number of inflammatory diseases.

Oral contraceptives actually stop the ovulation process. And for fertility, this is useful: the ovaries rest and after the hormones are canceled, they begin to work with renewed vigor. In some cases, infertility is even treated this way.

If we talk about the intrauterine hormonal system, then everything is even simpler there. A microscopic dose of the hormone goes directly to the uterus and acts locally. The hormonal balance remains intact: ovulation occurs monthly, the functions of the ovaries are not inhibited.

5. Hormones affect lactation, I will have nothing to feed my baby

There is some truth to this: combined oral contraceptives reduce milk production. But, in addition to the combined means, there are other methods. Mini-drinks are suitable for nursing mothers (they contain only one, female, hormone), they do not affect lactation at all. Here is another difficulty: they must be taken strictly at a certain time, and with the baby in your arms you sometimes forget to eat, let alone take a pill on time. So for mothers, the most optimal option is intrauterine contraception: the gynecologist will install the hormonal system in 5 minutes and you can forget about contraception for 3-5 years. Well, you can take it off at any time - if, for example, you decide to get another child.

6. Against the background of hormonal contraceptives, the blood thickens and the risk of thrombosis increases. And I smoked and will smoke

Aside from the obvious harm that smoking causes to women's beauty and health, then yes, I will not argue: methods of contraception such as a patch, pills and vaginal rings are poorly combined with smoking and, by the way, with alcohol (this is often forgotten). In this case, the intrauterine hormonal system will again help out - it does not affect blood viscosity, and smoking and alcohol are not contraindications to its use. So you can do the fight against bad habits whenever you see fit.

How is it? Was I convincing?:) In any case, by whatever means you protect yourself, dear girls, be healthy, happy and loved!