Hormonal birth control: 6 myths debunked

It’s been more than 60 years since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. Since then, more than 300 million women around the world have used “the pill” to take control of their lives and health.

Despite the widespread use of birth control pills — and other types of hormonal contraceptives — misunderstandings and confusion about these products are common.

Here, we bust some popular myths about hormonal birth control, explain how it actually works and explore the risks and benefits.

Myth: Hormonal birth control is toxic and full of chemicals.
Truth: Hormonal birth control contains safe, synthetic versions of hormones your body produces naturally.

Hormonal birth control contains synthetic (lab-made) versions of hormones your body produces naturally — estrogen and progesterone. Depending on the particular kind of birth control, these products may contain progesterone only or estrogen and progesterone combined.

“Hormonal birth control has been very well studied across several decades,” says Jacqueline Potts, MD, an OB/GYN at MultiCare Women’s Center – Northshore. “The synthetic versions of these hormones function almost exactly the same way as those produced by your body. They aren’t toxic in any way.”

Myth: Hormonal birth control is all the same.
Truth: There are many types of hormonal birth control, and they can affect your body differently. 

There are many types of hormonal birth control — pills, patches, injections, implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs). These products may contain different dosages and formulations of hormones.

While all types of hormonal contraceptives protect against pregnancy, they can affect your body differently. Each may be associated with particular side effects or risks.

That’s one of the reasons your provider will ask about your family history and daily habits, like smoking, when recommending a type of birth control. Smoking while taking certain oral contraceptives can increase your risk for cardiovascular problems.

You should also talk to your doctor or other health care provider about your past experience with contraceptives.

“Just because you’ve had a negative experience with one hormonal birth control product doesn’t mean you will have a negative experience with all of them,” Dr. Potts says. “Having an open dialogue with your doctor about your past experience with birth control and any undesirable side effects can help you find a method that works for you.”

Myth: Hormonal birth control makes you gain a lot of weight.
Truth: Research does not show a connection between most types of hormonal birth control and weight gain.

Hormonal birth control, like any medication, has potential side effects. It’s common to assume that weight gain is among them, but that’s not the case for most people.

“Some forms of progesterone-only birth control can increase appetite, which can then lead to weight gain,” Dr. Potts says. “But in general, research has not shown any connection between most types of hormonal birth control and weight gain.”

Part of what may contribute to this myth is that some older forms of hormonal birth control can cause the body to retain more fluid than usual. This can lead people to feel bloated or to temporarily gain a pound or two. However, the fluid retention does not cause large increases in weight, and most modern forms of hormonal birth control do not cause this problem.

Above all, it’s important to remember two things — first, everyone’s experience with birth control is unique, and second, there are many factors involved in maintaining a healthy weight. If you’re concerned that birth control may be contributing to weight gain, talk to your provider.

Myth: It’s unsafe to skip periods on hormonal birth control.
Truth: There’s no medical reason to have your period every month, unless you want to get pregnant. 

Each month, your uterus prepares for pregnancy by thickening its lining. If no fertilized egg implants in your uterus, then your body sheds this lining through your vagina — and you have your period.

It’s a common misconception that women need to have a period every month. There’s no medical reason this process needs to happen, unless you are trying to get pregnant.

Over time, hormonal birth control often causes periods to become lighter and shorter, and some types may cause periods to stop completely. If you take birth control pills, you can choose to skip the placebo (inactive) pills in each pack, taking 21-day cycles of active pills back-to-back.

Both Dr. Potts and Terry Silvestrin assert that it’s 100 percent safe to skip or completely suppress periods.

“One of the benefits of hormonal birth control is that it empowers women to be in charge of the timing and pattern of their menstrual cycle,” Silvestrin says. “You can skip periods altogether — for as long as you want — or you can skip a particular month if you have an event coming up and you don’t want the hassle.”

Myth: Hormonal birth control causes cancer.
Truth: Hormonal birth control can decrease your risk of certain cancers. 

While hormonal birth control does not cause cancer, there has been some controversary about its connection to breast cancer. Some studies have shown a slightly elevated risk of breast cancer for women on certain types of hormonal birth control, while other studies have not.

“Recent research shows that up until women reach their 50s, it’s a neutral situation,” says Silvestrin. “Women on hormonal birth control and those who aren’t have about the same average risk of breast cancer. At age 50, the risk for cancers, including breast cancer, increases for all women. That’s why getting yearly mammograms is important.”

What many people don’t know is that hormonal birth control can actually significantly decrease your risk of certain cancers, including ovarian cancer, endometrial (uterine) cancer and colon cancer, Silvestrin shares.

When you’re considering what birth control method to use, your doctor or other health care provider will discuss your personal and family history with cancer, as well as other risk factors.

Myth: Hormonal birth control can make you infertile.
Truth: Hormonal birth control doesn’t affect your ability to have children. 

Taking hormonal birth control does not affect your ability to have children later in life, and most forms of hormonal birth control are safe to take in the long term. However, it may take some time after stopping hormonal birth control for your body to resume its normal menstrual cycle.

“If you’ve been using hormonal birth control and are looking to get pregnant, it may take a few months for your body to start ovulating again,” Dr. Potts says. “There is often a correlation between the length of time someone has taken birth control and the amount of time it takes for regular periods to return.”