Birth controls have been saving lives for as long as the 1960’s. Millions of women turn to different methods of birth control. But the honest truth is that a lot of women don’t know enough about BCP’s asides from the generic fact that it prevents you from having an unwanted child.
Below are some important facts we think every woman should know and put into consideration before using birth controls.
- The Pill Doesn’t Reduce Your Sex Drive.
In a study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, researchers found no difference in libido among women who were on the pill and women using other forms of hormonal contraception (like IUDs) and non-hormonal contraceptives.
- You Don’t Have To Use It At Exactly The Same Time Every day.
Okay, so this is another major myth that a lot of women believe. It is okay if you are 2-3 hours late on your birth control, except you are using progestin-only pills. Progestin-only pills don’t stay in your body for that long, so if you miss it for about 33 hours, be sure to use a backup pill for 2 days to be on the safe side.
- Birth Control Has A Couple Of Health Benefits.
Well, asides the obvious, there are a couple of other health benefits you can get from birth control i.e.
- By regulating hormone levels, the pill can reduce hair growth on the chin and chest.
- Oral contraceptives thin the lining of the uterus, which leads to less menstrual bleeding and less intense uterine contractions.
- Because it reduces blood loss during periods, the pill may help treat anemia.
- Emergency Contraception Doesn’t End Pregnancy.
Against popular belief, emergency over the counter contraceptives do not end pregnancies. These pills prevent pregnancies by temporarily stopping ovulation, which is more effective by 89% when taken within 72 hours after having sex. Provided you haven’t already ovulated.
- Condoms Are Not Overrated
Unwanted pregnancies and HIV are not the only things condoms protect you from. The fact that you are on a pill isn’t an excuse to take future deterring risks, especially if you are not in monogamous relationship with your partner (s). A study from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that women in their 40s were more likely to have the parasitic infection trichomoniasis than 20-something women.
