Fact or fiction?

Yes, your birth control should still work when taking most antibiotics. The exception is an antibiotic called rifampin which reduces the effectiveness of birth control, although this is not commonly prescribed and is used to treat tuberculosis.²

If you take antibiotics and it causes diarrhoea or vomiting for more than 24 hours, then there is a chance your birth control may not absorb properly. In this situation, use condoms for 7 days as a back-up option.³

No, it’s not possible to push your IUD/coil any further during sex. An IUD/coil is inserted into the womb which is way higher than the penis can reach during sex.⁴ During sexual intercourse, the cervix will stop the penis getting any further up into the pelvis. Your IUD/coil will have strings that hang out of the cervix which may be felt during sex but won’t interfere with the IUD/coil function.

One of the risks of an IUD/coil is that it can fall out, particularly within the first 3 months of having it inserted.⁵ Your doctor will recommend you check your strings each month by popping a finger into the vaginal canal, so you know it’s still there. 

Once you come off birth control, your fertility will typically return quickly. Your periods can sometimes return after 3-6 months, but this doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant in this time.⁶ Your body can still release an egg even if your periods haven’t returned yet.

The only birth control that could delay your fertility once you stop taking it is the progesterone injection, which can delay your fertility by 12-18 months.⁷ The birth control pills, IUD/coil, implant, ring and patch have no long-term effect on your fertility.⁶

No, two condoms do not equal double protection. The friction between two condoms can cause damage to the condoms which can lead to breakage.⁸ It is also not recommended for a female to use an internal condom whilst 
a male uses an external condom, as this can also result in friction damage. The best thing is to use one and use it properly.

Yes, birth control can impact your libido - some women might experience a decrease, no difference or slight increase in their sex drive.⁹ Typically combined oral contraceptives can lower testosterone levels which can in turn reduce sex drive.¹⁰ Progesterone only contraceptives may also have the same effect.⁹ Non-hormonal birth control methods like the copper IUD/coil or condoms will not impact libido.⁹

Absolutely! Make sure you check your condom expiry date that can be found on the condom wrapper.¹¹ Condoms are made from latex or polyurethane (in latex free condoms) and over time these materials can break down and make the condom weaker so may be more likely to tear.⁸

No, the effectiveness stays the same over time. Your body doesn’t get “used” to it. It will keep working as long as you take it regularly. It’s important to check that your pill, patch or ring isn’t expired, 
as it may not work as birth control if it’s out of date.

Some hormonal birth control may cause weight gain.¹² The pill, patch or progesterone injection are more commonly linked with weight gain. This is because it causes you to retain fluid, increases your appetite and slows down your metabolism, which in turn can lead to weight gain. The main culprit is thought to be the progesterone injection which has been reported to cause the most weight gain.¹²

Unfortunately, it's difficult to predict who will be more affected. You can always change birth control to see which one suits you best. 

If you have vomited or had diarrhoea, there is a chance your birth control will not be effective. If you have vomited within 3 hours of taking your birth control tablet, then there is a chance it may not have been absorbed so might not work.¹³ If you have persistent diarrhoea for more than 24 hours or passed multiple times in a day, the pill may not have absorbed properly so might not work.¹³

In this situation, the best thing to do is to use condoms as a back-up, until you’ve taken your birth control for 7 days without being sick or until your diarrhoea has stopped.¹³

This is such a popular question so let’s get straight to the facts. Hormonal birth control can slightly increase your chances of some cancers but actually protect you from others.¹⁴

Hormonal birth control (pill, patch, ring, implant, injection, IUD/coil) may slightly increase your risk of breast and cervical cancer.¹⁴ However the good thing is, your risk goes back down to normal, 10 years after stopping your hormonal birth control.¹⁴ It’s a good idea to check your breasts in the shower once a month to check if they feel normal for you. Remember to get your smear test done when you get called by your doctor as this helps to reduce your risk of cervical cancer. 

Let’s talk about the good things! Hormonal birth control can actually protect you from three main cancers - ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and colorectal cancer.¹⁴ The cancer protection it gives lasts even after you’ve stopped taking your birth control.¹⁵

Birth control can reduce the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer by varying degrees depending on your birth control method.¹⁵

There are pros and cons of every birth control, but it’s important to consider whether the risks outweigh the benefits. The overall risk of cancer from birth control is relatively low. If you have a family history of cancer or had cancer yourself in the past, please speak to your doctor to discuss the best option for you.

No this isn’t a good idea. Emergency contraception should be your last option, which you use as a back-up. The reason why is because it's less effective and less reliable than your regular birth control, so there is a greater pregnancy risk.¹⁶ It’s a good idea to just keep the emergency contraceptive for when you need it the most.

This is a popular question and the answer is a definite no. You need sperm to enter the vagina to get pregnant. Sexual activity with clothes on like dry humping with underwear on won’t get you pregnant.

Birth control is good at many things but protecting against STIs is not one of them. To protect against a STI, you need barrier protection like a condom. Hormonal birth control alone does not protect you.¹⁷ If you change sexual partner or have more than one sexual partner, then it’s a good idea to use condoms to protect against STIs.

Birth control is very effective at preventing pregnancy, but nothing is 100% certain.¹⁸ If you are not very regular with taking your birth control or take medications that interact with your birth control, there may be a chance of pregnancy.

The pull-out or withdrawal method is one that people commonly use, but it is the least effective form of birth control. It is only around 78% effective, which means about 1 in 5 people using this method will get pregnant in a year.¹⁹

Birth control is generally safe for most people, but there are risks to consider. Common side effects are mood changes, breast tenderness, irregular bleeding, headaches and high blood pressure.²⁰ A less common side effect 
is the increased risk of blood clots in the legs, lungs or brain.²⁰ The risk of this is around 6–12 in 10,000 women per year but can be more common if you smoke or have a history of blood clots.²¹ There is a slight increased risk of breast cancer and cervical cancer with the pill.¹⁴ It is best to discuss your risk with your doctor before starting this medication.