Experts debunk common myths about birth control, discussing withdrawal, pills, IUDs, and the potential for a male contraceptive pill. Teens express concerns about birth control side effects and the emphasis on abstinence. The effectiveness and impact of birth control pills on mood and mental health are explored. The safety and effectiveness of IUDs are discussed, including the history of the dangerous Dalcon Shield.
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Quick takeaways
Withdrawal can be almost as effective as condoms when used perfectly, but it is not foolproof.
Different individuals may experience varied responses to the birth control pill, including potential mood changes.
Deep dives
Withdrawal as a method of birth control
Withdrawal, where a man pulls out before ejaculating, is becoming more common among unmarried men. A study found that around 20 out of 100 couples using withdrawal for a year would still get pregnant. The presence of pre-ejaculate, which may contain sperm, is often blamed for this. However, studies show that only about one-third of men have enough active sperm in their pre-ejaculate to cause pregnancy. While withdrawal is not foolproof, it can be almost as effective as using condoms when used perfectly.
The pill and its impact on mood and cancer risk
The birth control pill can be highly effective when taken consistently and correctly. However, it can also affect women's moods, potentially increasing the risk of depression in some cases. Research suggests that different individuals may experience varied responses. While some women may see an improvement in mood, others may experience mood swings. As for cancer risk, studies indicate that overall, women on the pill do not have a higher risk of cancer compared to those not taking it. In fact, it can lower the risk of certain cancers, such as ovarian cancer.
Safety and effectiveness of IUDs
Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are highly effective and safe contraception methods. The fear and misconceptions surrounding IUDs can be traced back to an out-of-market IUD called the Dalcon Shield. The device, which caused severe infections and even deaths, had a design flaw. However, modern IUDs do not carry the same risks. They have been redesigned to eliminate the problems. While there is a minor risk of uterine perforation during insertion, it is rare and usually not cause for concern.
Everyone’s got a myth or two about birth control they want cleared up. Like... is 'pulling out' AKA withdrawal really such a bad idea? Does the pill change your brain? Are IUDs safe? And why isn’t there a pill for men, already?! We ask gynecologist Dr. Amita Murthy, neuroendocrinologist Dr. Nicole Petersen, men’s health researcher Prof. Robert McLachlan and a whole roomful of experts on sex -- teenagers.
UPDATE 05/12/17: We have updated this episode to further emphasize that the pre-cum studies are only very small. Use withdrawal at your own peril!
Credits: This episode has been produced by Wendy Zukerman, Shruti Ravindran, Heather Rogers and Rose Rimler. Our senior producer is Kaitlyn Sawrey. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Extra editing help from Alex Blumberg and Eric Mennel. Fact checking by Michelle Harris. Sound design by Martin Peralta and Bobby Lord. Music written by Bobby Lord.
An extra thanks to Dr Aparna Sundaram at the Guttmacher Institute, Dr Sarah Prager, Prof Brittany Charlton, Dr Lisa Iversen, Prof James Trussell, Dr Sara Holton. Big thank you to Libby Shafer and all the Chicago teens, plus Jonathan Goldstein and Joseph Lavelle Wilson.