Contraception hoaxes

Does it make you fat? Does it make you pimples? What are the false beliefs about the pill and, above all, what is the truth?

Contraception is a difficult, often taboo subject. For this reason, urban legends and myths of the most varied abound about its use.

Let’s find out which ones are true, and which ones are not.

The pill promotes water retention

Certain types of hormones found in the pill can promote fluid retention. This usually occurs in the first few months and tends to disappear with time. However, some pills of the latest generation contain active ingredients that are associated with lower water retention.

If you notice an excessive accumulation of fluids, contact your gynecologist: you can try to change the pill and check if there are more suitable for the characteristics of your body.

The pill causes cellulite

It is a disorder that afflicts almost all women and is often a sign of poor diet or microcirculation problems.

The pill is never a direct cause of this phenomenon. However, if you notice an increase in the so-called “orange peel skin” while taking the drug, consult your gynecologist.

Also in this case it is possible that changing the pill can make a certain difference: there are in fact new generation oral contraceptives that have shown a lower association with these disorders.

The risk factors of cellulite are these:

• genetic predisposition
• smoke
• Sedentary lifestyle
• stress
• poor rest
• constrictive clothing
• constipation
• postural abnormalities.

The pill reduces sex drive

The hormones present in the pill do not seem to have any influence on sexual desire.

If you start taking the pill you need to stop wearing contact lenses

It’s not like that. The hormones in the pill are not an obstacle to using contact lenses.

In some cases, a slight dryness of the ocular mucous membranes may occur. But this is easily solved thanks to artificial tears. So keep wearing your contact lenses worry-free.

The pill regulates the menstrual cycle

True. This extra-contraceptive effect represents one of the advantages of this drug. By using the pill you will know with some precision on which day menstruation will arrive. Definitely a good thing!

If you take the pill, you will be protected from viruses and sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV

False. This is a very dangerous hoax. Contagion from this type of disease occurs by direct contact with the mucous membranes or secretions of the infected partner. The only way to protect yourself is to use a condom.

The pill reduces cycle pain

By regulating the hormonal intake in the body, the pill can reduce the intensity of menstrual flow in many women.

The same goes for painful sensations, which in most cases decrease considerably with the intake of this contraceptive.

The pill reduces the typical disorders of premenstrual syndrome

“Premenstrual syndrome” indicates a set of sensations and symptoms that cause a sort of overall psychological discomfort: nervousness, irritability, excessive sensitivity and mood swings are just some of the situations you could experience if you suffer from this disorder.

The cause is the oscillations of female hormones, which in the days before menstruation undergo substantial variations.

Since the pill allows hormonal rebalancing in the body, the consequence is that even the premenstrual syndrome will be “curbed”.

The pill makes pimples come

False. In fact, the opposite is true. Often taking this type of contraceptive is used to reduce acne and other skin disorders, such as hirsutism.

According to recent studies, for example, some substances contained in the new generation of oral contraceptives have a positive effect on moderate forms of acne.

The pill makes allergies

False. The pill is a drug that contains an active ingredient that, as such, could trigger an allergy.

But the medicine itself cannot promote or cause allergic reactions to other elements. In other words, don’t expect to become allergic to hay or other substances if you start taking the pill!