UNITED Nations, New York – Around the world, more people than ever are using modern methods of contraception. The number of users has about doubled since 1990 – a major public health success that has allowed millions of young people to avoid unintended pregnancy and exercise choice over their futures.
Even so, an estimated 224 million women in developing regions who want to avoid pregnancy are not currently using safe and effective family planning methods. For far too many, the basic human right to choose whether to have children continues to be undermined. These barriers are compounded by misinformation about contraception that is circulating more rapidly than ever online.
As the world’s largest procurer of reproductive health commodities, UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, distributes contraceptives to those most in need around the globe. Get the facts to debunk common myths below, and consult our new FAQ on Contraception to find out more.
Myth: Contraception is unsafe.
Fact: Modern forms of contraception are among the most prescribed and well-studied medications in existence. Major health organizations confirm that a wide variety of hormonal contraceptives are safe for most people. For those who do not want hormonal contraceptives, a range of effective non-hormonal methods are available.
As with all medicines, there can be side effects associated with some modern methods of contraception. Trained healthcare providers can offer accurate information on different contraceptive options to allow individuals to choose the method that suits them best.
Notably, the health risks associated with unintended pregnancy are significantly higher than those associated with modern methods of contraception. Individuals should weigh the potential side effects of the contraceptives available to them against the risks of unintended pregnancy.
Myth: Using contraception can cause abortion.
Fact: Contraceptives do not cause abortion or miscarriage. Modern contraceptives act by preventing fertilization or ovulation, which means that they prevent pregnancy from occurring in the first place. Use of modern contraceptives does not disrupt an existing pregnancy or affect a fertilized egg that has already implanted.
Emergency contraception also works by preventing pregnancy from occurring in the first place. As it does not terminate a pregnancy, it cannot be classified as an abortifacient. Emergency contraception is not effective if a person is already pregnant and it cannot induce an abortion or miscarriage.
Myth: Birth control damages your fertility.
Fact: Contraceptives do not cause infertility. While some hormonal methods, such as injectable contraceptives, may temporarily delay the resumption of ovulation and menstruation, this is a temporary condition and does not lead to permanent infertility. In most cases, fertility returns to normal within a few months of discontinuing a hormonal method (but can return sooner), and immediately after discontinuing a non-hormonal method of contraception.
Contraceptives also do not reduce ovarian reserve – a woman’s egg count – and they do not lead to early menopause. A woman’s ovarian reserve decreases naturally with age and this timeline is not altered by use of contraception.
Myth: Natural methods of family planning are safer than hormonal methods.
Fact: In recent years, alternative methods of preventing pregnancy have become popular, particularly on social media. These include cycle tracking apps and fertility awareness methods, including the daily checking of temperature. These methods are increasingly promoted as “safer” contraceptive methods. While these methods may work for some, they won’t work for everyone. These so-called “natural methods” are significantly less likely to prevent pregnancy than modern methods, and the claim that they are “safer” must be weighed against the fact that pregnancy itself poses health risks to women.
With perfect use, natural methods can have a moderate level of efficacy in preventing an unintended pregnancy. But perfect use is challenging to maintain for most women, particularly over long periods of time. UNFPA recognizes that people from certain cultural backgrounds may prefer to use natural methods of family planning, so these methods are included in UNFPA-supported family planning counselling.
It is important to know that the most effective methods of contraception are modern methods. Modern methods of contraception are safe to us for the vast majority of people. For women who wish to avoid hormonal contraceptives, there are non-hormonal modern methods that are more effective than natural methods, for example the copper coil.
Myth: You shouldn’t use contraception if you are single, or if your partner doesn’t want you to.
Fact: Some people assert that providing contraceptives to unmarried young people promotes “promiscuous” behavior. This is false. Research shows that providing people, particularly adolescents, with access to information and services related to their sexual and reproductive health is not linked to any increase in sexual activity. Instead, it equips them with the information to make responsible decisions about their own bodies and health, now and in the future.
Some people also claim that people should not use contraception if their partner wants them to engage in unprotected sex. This, too, is incorrect. Every individual has the right to decide whether or not to become pregnant. No one should be pressured to have unprotected sex, even with long-term partners, if it is not their choice to do so. Pressuring an individual to have unprotected sex against their will is a serious issue known as reproductive coercion – a form of abuse and a violation of every person’s right to bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom.
