Many young adults have heard several misconceptions about birth control. These falsehoods often prevent the use of contraceptives and therefore the practice of safe sex. It’s important to understand that many false narratives may arise due to individualized experiences and misuse of the many birth control methods out there. It’s natural for there to be side effects from getting on and off birth control — specifically hormonal methods — however, it’s important to establish the facts from the false and misleading information surrounding birth control.

There are more options today than ever before for forms of birth control. Options for birth control include the pill, implants, patches, condoms and more. While birth control may have side effects, they should be minimal and not disrupt your daily lifestyle. In fact, pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections carry much more risks than the proper use of birth control does. Thus, it is extremely important to protect yourself and ensure that you are staying educated on the different methods of birth control and getting all of the right information. Here are some misconceptions about birth control to look out for.

Birth control will damage your fertility [BOLD]

There is no research out there that shows that birth control affects fertility long-term. After getting off most forms of birth control, you will be able to get pregnant nearly right away. The only exception to this is the shot. Due to the nature of it, it takes longer for the shot to leave the body. You may find yourself unable to get pregnant for up to 10 months after stopping taking the shot — however this effect is not long-term and will not affect your fertility or ability to carry to term.

In an article from Kaiser Permanente, Brenda Jackson, a nurse-midwife and director of clinical care improvement and clinical quality, discusses myths around birth control. Jackson states that STIs can have more of a chance of affecting fertility than birth control is when left untreated. This is one of many reasons it is so important to use proper contraceptives and dual protection — hormonal contraception and barrier contraception, such as condoms.

Birth control causes weight gain [BOLD]

One of the most popular myths about birth control is that it causes weight gain. This myth is most likely based in the history of birth control. When birth control first came out, weight gain was a common effect. However, today this is not the case. Some people find that they gain weight in the first few months due to the changes in hormones. Generally speaking, it can be expected to maintain the same weight throughout the use of birth control, given your lifestyle remains the same.

Birth control can cause fluid retention, which can lead to a slight increase in weight. However, it’s important to know that this is typically a very small amount of weight and completely temporary. Additionally, most women start taking birth control at a time where their body is naturally going through changes, which may include weight gain. This leads them to believe their birth control is at fault even when it is not. If you find that weight gain has been significant or is a major concern for you, talk to your doctor to discuss your options. There are many forms of birth control that may be a better fit.

Birth control protects against STIs/STDs [BOLD]

Hormonal birth control plays no role in protecting you from STIs and STDs. They are very effective in preventing pregnancy when used properly, but only barrier methods, such as condoms, can protect you from STIs and STDs. To stay protected from both, it is important to use dual protection.

Birth control causes bad moods and affects your personality [BOLD]

Using hormonal contraceptives may cause an imbalance in your hormone levels when getting on and off birth control. However, research shows that there is no strong link between birth control and severe mood changes. That being said, everyone’s body is different and will react differently to birth control. It’s important to remember that different emotions are natural and bad moods will happen with or without birth control. Keep track of any issues and concerns you may have with getting on and off birth control and communicate them to your doctor. Again, there are many options for staying safe. Some may work better than others for you.

These are not the only myths there are about birth control that are out there, but some of the most popular ones. When used properly, birth control can be extremely effective and important for all involved. While it may be scary and concerning, many of these worries can be alleviated with consultation with a medical professional. With a plethora of options out there, there is no reason to not be safe.