The 21st century woman is one who knows what she wants and knows about her own sexual health. Right on sister, we hear you shout, power to us! But despite the freedom granted to us when it comes to birth control, there’s still a big cloud of ambiguity hovering over the confusing concept of contraception. Thankfully Dr Gigi Taguri from Lloyds Online Doctor is here to dispel some of the most commonly (and not so commonly) asked myths, so you know how it all works…
You’ve heard the rumours, and now it’s time for the facts. Dr Gigi debunks your five pill myths below
Myth: I am on a new pill since January and it has stopped my periods completely. Is this dangerous if I want to have kids in future? EG, Age 22
Reality: It really depends what type of pill you are taking. If you’re taking the mini pill you will probably experience irregular bleeding or in some cased no bleed at all- this is completely normal. On the combined pill you should have a ‘withdrawal bleed’ which is a bit lighter and shorter than a period. If you’re not getting a bleed on the combined pill it’s worth speaking to your GP about what might be causing this.
Myth: Can the pill really make you gain weight? ST, Age unknown
Reality: Well this is a myth that has been around since the pill first came onto the market and it’s not true! Although some women report a slight change in appetite or feeling a bit bloated, it really is only a small minority, and there is no strong correlation between taking the pill and gaining a significant amount of weight. And just think – you gain an awful lot more weight when pregnant!
Myth: I have had some indigestion and I’m sensitive to certain foods. Do you think it’s my pill? HS, Age unknown
Reality: It is possible but the likelihood of someone suffering from nausea on many of the combined pills is just 1% – but you could be in that unlucky percentile! If it worsens, it may be worth trying another pill or seeing your GP to get your indigestion looked into.
Myth: Is it true you aren’t sexually protected on your pill-free week? CA, Age 20
Reality: If you’re taking your pills regularly and haven’t missed any, you can still have sex on your pill free week, and not be at any extra risk of getting pregnant.
Myth: I’ve heard of a link between the pill and increased risk of cancer, any truth? SM, Age 33
Reality: In extremely rare cases, there is a slight increased disposition to developing breast and cervical cancer, which increases if you have been on the pill for over five years. However, genetics and lifestyle play a bigger role. It’s also worth remembering that the pill lowers your risk of ovarian and bowel cancer so the benefits definitely outweigh the risks for the large majority of women.
Myth: Can taking the pill consistently without taking the seven day gap affect fertility in the future? EC, Age 16
Reality: If you are taking the mini pill then you should take your pill each day however with the combined pill you generally have a 7 day break every 21 days. It’s ok to take up to 3 packets back to back if you want to delay your period and this won’t affect your fertility. There is no need to take a holiday from your pill unless you want to get pregnant!
I am 30 years old and have no intention of having children, can I take the pill indefinitely or should I use alternative forms of contraception? LB, Age 30
Ah the million dollar question…if I had a cent for every time someone asked me this! I say to all my patients, think not what you can do for your contraception, but more what your contraception can do for you! If you’re not into babies at the moment (or you never will be) then you can continue with the pill indefinitely or why not consider what we call ‘long-acting’ contraception like the implant.
The implant provides the same contraceptive protection as the mini pill but lasts for 3 years so you won’t have the inconvenience of remembering your pill each day. Side effects can include tender breasts and a continuous bleed, however many women will have no period at all which some find an advantage.
For those of you who expressed a desire to use contraception with less artificial hormones why not try a coil. There are two types; the cooper coil which works for 5-10 years and the Mirena coil which works for 5 years. The copper coil contains no hormones and the Mirena releases a small amount of hormone in your womb so you get lighter periods or no periods at all. If you’d prefer a pill with a lower hormone level, I would recommend Mercilon, Leonore or Yaz which are known as lower dose hormones for which we provide prescriptions.
I’ve been on the pill for years and had to stop taking it for one month. I was waiting to get my period but it never came, I know I’m not pregnant but when should I start taking my pill again? RR, Age Unknown
Don’t worry- I get lots of questions about the pill and periods! It can take a little time for things to settle down after you stop taking it and that is completely normal. If you’ve been on the pill for years, sometimes you actually don’t get a period and it can take a little time for your body to regulate itself, but don’t panic. I would advise that you to start your pill straight away (as long as you are sure you are not pregnant!) or whenever you want and then use condoms for seven days to make sure you are fully protected.
At Lloyds Online Doctor we’re passionate about providing access to affordable contraception, so if you need a six month repeat prescription for a pill or patch take an online consultation today for €25 and one of our doctors will see if you’re suitable.
Found this helpful? Dr Gigi will be answering your weight loss questions in two weeks to help you get healthy this summer. Look out for the link to the confidential question form that we will post on twitter and don’t forget to follow @LloydsOnlineDoc
For your chance to get your burning questions on weight loss covered by Dr.Gigi, click here to submit your confidential query. These questions will be answered on August 22nd.
