Birth Control Pill Myths & Facts

All birth control pills are the same.

Not all birth control pills contain the same type of hormones. Combination birth control pills contain 2 types of hormones — estrogen and progestin. Most of the currently available birth control pills contain the same estrogen, ethinyl estradiol — but differ in the type of progestin. The progestin in some birth control pills may cause unpleasant effects such as fluid retention, breast swelling and tenderness, and acne. However, not all progestins trigger these effects to the same degree, making it important for a woman to pay close attention to the type of progestin in her birth control pill. Norgestimate is the progestin contained in ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN^® LO (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol) tablets.

I don't need to take the Pill at the same time each day.

Combination pills, those containing the hormones estrogen and progestin, are more than 99% effective when taken correctly, which means taking it at the same time each day. Pick a time that's easy to remember, like when you take your vitamins or brush your teeth. Also, remember that taking pills inconsistently or missing pills may increase your chance of experiencing some side effects, such as bleeding between periods. Get more tips on how to remember your pill.

Taking birth control pills will make me gain weight.

Numerous clinical studies have shown that as many women lose weight as gain weight while taking birth control pills. Most Pill-related weight gain is due to fluid retention, which is usually temporary and cyclical.

Before I get pregnant, I need to wait a few months to flush the hormones from the Pill out of my system.

You can start trying to become pregnant immediately after you stop taking the Pill, but you should talk to your healthcare professional about steps you should take to ensure a healthy pregnancy. You may want to postpone conception until you can start having regular periods again, simply because a pregnancy can be dated more accurately if a woman has reestablished her natural menstrual cycle after she has stopped using birth control.

The Pill protects against HIV.

The Pill does not protect against HIV or sexually transmitted diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), using a condom correctly every time you have sex can greatly reduce your risk of acquiring or transmitting most STDs, including HIV infection.

If I've taken the Pill for a long time, it's probably good to take a break.

Women are staying on the Pill longer. In fact, the Pill can be safely prescribed to healthy, nonsmoking women over 40, as long as they don't have risk factors that make taking the Pill inappropriate. How long you stay on the Pill is something you should discuss with your healthcare professional.