Doctors from the Department of Obstetric​s & Gynaecology​​ at Singa​pore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth​ group, share 5 common myths about contraception.

1. If I used contraception when ​I was younger, it will be difficult for me to get pregnant when I want to start a family.

   Some methods of contraception take longer to reverse after they have been stopped but all methods are reversible. This myth probably arose ​because some couples might have pre-existing fertility issues which prevented them from getting pregnant even after they had stopped using contraception.

2. If I get pregnant while using contraception, my baby will be abnormal and I ​will need to have an abortion.

   Drugs which can harm unborn babies are not used as contraceptives. Of course, once pregnancy is diagnosed, women should stop the contraceptive and be counselled on whether they wish to proceed with the pregnancy. In the case of pregnancy with an intrauterine contraceptive device in the uterus, removal of the device reduces the risk of miscarriage and often allows the pregnancy to progress.

3. I don’t need to use any contraception as I am breastfeeding.

   Breastfeeding does reduce the frequency of ovulation but even women who are exclusively breastfeeding ovulate occasionally. As an exclusive method of contraception, breastfeeding is an unreliable form of birth control.

4. Sexual intercourse during a menstrual period will never lead to pregnancy.

   Never say never! There are documented pregnancies from sexual intercourse on every single day of the menstrual cycle. Some light bleeding is common during ovulation and can be mistaken for a period. The rhythm method of contraception (which attempts to calculate the “safe” period for intercourse) can be effective in women with regular cycles and useful for couples who can’t use other methods due to religious constraints. But the overall failure rate can reach 25 per cent, probably because ovulation can occur earlier or later than expected.,

5. If I’ve had unprotected sexual intercourse (without using any contraception), nothing can be done to prevent pregnancy.

   Emergency contraception is up to 99 per cent effective in preventing a pregnancy after unprotected sex. There are pills which can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse. A copper intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD, shown above) is also an effective method and can be used up to five days after sex. Visit your family doctor or gynaecologist as soon as possible after engaging in unprotected sex if you wish to use emergency contraception.

Ref: V10