Birth control pills are quite common among women these days, whether it is for avoiding pregnancy or controlling period pain. Effective use of contraceptive pills has brought a revolutionary change in the reproductive health of women, as it offers control in their hands regarding their family planning and regulating the menstrual cycle. With an increase in awareness about contraceptive pills, various myths are also circulating with respect to this. The most common misconception that is heard about the contraceptive pill is that its long-term use can cause infertility in Indian women.
More than 60 years ago, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved oral medications to help prevent pregnancy. Since then, millions of women have taken different versions of “the pill.” Despite its long history, there are still a lot of myths surrounding oral contraceptives. An estimated 259 million women globally who want to avoid pregnancy are not currently using safe and effective family planning methods. Most of these women, an estimated 224 million women, live in developing regions. 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.
Fact – As per the report, there is no evidence found that long-term use of oral contraceptive pills leads to any weight gain. Though many people reported the same, if weight gain does take place, it is typically less than 5 pounds in a year. Thus, it’s concluded that OCP is not a cause of excessive weight gain.
Fact- a major proportion of women take oral contraceptive pills to control their pregnancy, but many people believe that its long-term use can hamper or damage their fertility. But this is not true as the pregnancy-preventing effects of hormonal contraceptives, copper IUDs, and barriers are reversible, which means that your fertility will return after you stop using them. You have to discontinue it when you are with no hormonal methods, as the waiting period is not fixed in this.
Fertility generally returns after 6-12 months of stopping its usage. Some people get pregnant within a month, while for others it may take a year or more to get pregnant.
Moreover, contraceptive pills do not reduce ovarian reserves, women’s eggs, or lead to early menopause. Ovarian reserves among women decrease naturally with their age, and this timeline is not disbalanced with the use of contraceptives.
Fact- generally, it is presumed among people that lactating mothers do not require OCP as they have a spontaneous contraceptive property. The fact is, even though lactation plays an effective postpartum inhibitory role in reproduction, it is an inefficient contraceptive strategy.
The effectiveness of LACI depends on precise environmental regulation (especially exclusive breastfeeding and 6 months postpartum). The risk for a successful pregnancy is increased if the normal cycle pattern is found and supplementation resumes. Do not place non-hormonal devices (e.g., condoms, progestin-only) on the breast.
Fact- OCP does not lead to miscarriage or abortion. It is a common myth surrounding many places that OCP will help in preventing preganancy with aborting a child, but the fact is that it prevents fertilisation or ovulation. This means it prevents preganncy at first place to occur so it does not take place. Usage of modern contraceptive pills does not disrupt the fertilised egg that has already implanted or hamper an existing pregnancy.
Emergency contraception is used to prevent pregnancy from occuring at fist place, as it is not used to terminate the pregnancy; it can not be classified as abortifacient. Emergency contraception is not effective if a person is already pregnant, and it cannot induce an abortion or miscarriage.
Fact– Oral contraceptive pills do not permanently cause menstrual irregularities. In fact, combined OCPs are often prescribed to regulate periods. These pills work by providing steady levels of estrogen and progesterone, which help stabilise the uterine lining and create a predictable cycle. During the first 2–3 months of use, some women may notice spotting, lighter bleeding, or slight irregularity—this is a temporary adjustment phase as the body adapts to hormonal changes. With continued use, most women experience more regular, lighter, and less painful periods.
After stopping OCPs, periods may take a few weeks to a couple of months to return to their natural rhythm, especially in women who already had irregular cycles before starting pills. Importantly, OCPs do not damage fertility or cause long-term cycle problems. If irregular bleeding persists beyond three months, a doctor can adjust the pill type or dosage. Proper medical guidance ensures safe and beneficial use.
India’s PCOS consensus (2018) affirms OCPs manage hyperandrogenism without fertility harm; ovarian function normalises fully. Studies from NIRRH Mumbai show 85% PCOS women ovulate within 3 months post-OCP. NFHS-5 data correlates low OCP uptake with unmet needs, not infertility fears. Retrospective analyses (n=500+) in urban clinics report conception rates of 80% at 6 months, delayed by obesity/PCOS but not OCP duration. Lean PCOS phenotypes recover quickest.
Ongoing trials (e.g., ICMR PCOS studies) explore ultra-low-dose OCPs for metabolic-prone Indians. Digital reminders via apps could raise compliance from 50%. Need longitudinal data on >10-year users in rural India. Policy push for OCP mix (Mala-N, generics) aligns with FP2020 goals.
Women planning pregnancy should stop pills 3-6 months prior to assessment, using alternatives like condoms. Consult gynaecologists for personalised advice, especially with PCOS. Regular monitoring ensures benefits like reduced ovarian cancer risk outweigh temporary adjustments.