Recent Posts Across the Commons

• 

  Fawziyah Shamim (she/her) wrote a new post on the site GynEd4Girls 2 hours, 3 minutes ago

  Birth Control Myth Check: What Teens Should Actually KnowBirth control can be difficult to understand when advice from friends and social media conflicts with medical information. Some methods use hormones, while others do not, and each option works differently. Learning the facts can help you ask better questions and make decisions based on your health rather than fear or rumors. Myth: The pill is the only real birth control option Fact: The pill is only one of several ways to prevent pregnancy. Birth control pills are taken every day. Other hormonal options include a weekly patch, a vaginal ring, and an injection given about every three months. The implant is placed under the skin of the upper arm, while an intrauterine device, commonly called an IUD, is placed inside the uterus. Condoms are used during sexual activity and do not contain hormones. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that these methods differ in how they are used and how effectively they prevent pregnancy during typical use. The IUD and implant are the most effective reversible methods because they continue working without requiring someone to remember a daily or weekly step. There is no single method that is automatically best for every person. Someone who has difficulty remembering a daily pill may prefer a method that lasts longer. Another person may want a method they can begin or stop on their own. Myth: Birth control is only for people who are sexually active Fact: Some people use hormonal birth control for reasons unrelated to pregnancy prevention. Combined hormonal methods, including certain pills, the patch, and the ring, may make periods more predictable. They can also reduce menstrual bleeding and cramping. Some birth control pills are used to manage acne or symptoms associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, commonly called PCOS. Using birth control does not reveal whether someone is sexually active. A person may use it for menstrual symptoms, contraception, or more than one reason. Myth: Every birth control method causes weight gain Fact: Weight gain is not an unavoidable effect of all birth control. People can respond differently to the same method, and changes in appetite or weight can have many causes. Evidence reviewed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or ACOG, suggests that the contraceptive implant generally does not have a significant effect on body weight. The birth control injection, also called DMPA or Depo-Provera, is more closely associated with possible weight gain than many other methods. ACOG reports that among injection users who gained weight, the average gain was less than five pounds. That does not mean everyone who receives the injection will gain weight. Concerns about weight are valid, but fear of a possible side effect should not replace an individual conversation with a healthcare professional. Ask what research shows about the specific method you are considering. Myth: IUDs and implants are only for adults who have given birth Fact: IUDs and implants can be used safely by many adolescents. ACOG identifies both methods as safe and highly effective options for teenagers, including those who have never been pregnant or given birth. They are called long-acting reversible contraceptives because they prevent pregnancy for several years but can be removed whenever the user decides to stop. An implant is inserted into the upper arm and does not require a pelvic examination. An IUD is inserted through the cervix into the uterus, so its placement does involve a pelvic procedure. Both methods can change menstrual bleeding, although the pattern depends on the person and the type of device. Choosing a long-acting method should always be voluntary. A provider should explain the benefits and possible side effects without pressuring someone to select a method simply because it is highly effective. Myth: Hormonal birth control causes permanent infertility Fact: Reversible birth control does not permanently take away someone’s ability to become pregnant. ACOG specifically identifies the claim that hormonal birth control causes infertility as misinformation. Fertility generally returns after reversible contraception is discontinued, although the timing can differ by method and by person. Fertility usually returns quickly after an IUD or implant is removed. The birth control injection is an important exception to the idea that fertility always returns immediately. ACOG reports that it takes an average of about 10 months to become pregnant after stopping the injection, although some people take longer. This delay is temporary and is not the same as permanent infertility. Myth: You must have a pelvic exam before receiving birth control Fact: Most birth control methods do not require a pelvic examination. A pelvic exam is generally not needed to receive the pill, patch, ring, injection, or implant. It is required for the placement of an IUD and may be needed when fitting certain barrier methods, such as a diaphragm or cervical cap. Routine cervical cancer screening and STI testing are also not required before starting hormonal contraception. A healthcare professional may recommend other evaluations based on a person’s symptoms or medical history, but those concerns should be explained separately. Myth: Birth control protects against sexually transmitted infections Fact: Most birth control methods prevent pregnancy but do not protect against STIs. Pills, patches, rings, injections, implants, and IUDs do not prevent sexually transmitted infections. Condoms can reduce the risk of HIV and many other STIs when used correctly, although they do not provide complete protection. Someone may choose to use a condom together with another contraceptive method. The condom provides STI protection, while the second method offers additional pregnancy prevention. How Do You Choose a Method? Begin by thinking about what would realistically work in your life. Consider whether you could remember something every day, how you feel about changes to your period, and whether you want a method that requires a procedure. Your medical history may also affect which options are safe for you. Ask a healthcare professional: How is this method used? What bleeding changes might happen? What should I do if I miss a dose? How quickly can I stop the method? Does any part of obtaining it require an examination? Will information about it appear in my patient portal or insurance records? You have the right to receive accurate information about every option you are medically eligible to use. You also have the right to decline a method, request its removal, or ask about an alternative. One More Fact: Some Pills Are Available Without a Prescription The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Opill, a progestin-only daily birth control pill, for nonprescription use in 2023. It can be purchased over the counter in the United States, but it must be taken every day at the same time to work effectively. Users should read the Drug Facts label carefully, including the instructions for missed or late pills and the warning that it should not be used by anyone who has or previously had breast cancer. Over-the-counter availability does not mean the pill is the right choice for everyone. A pharmacist or healthcare professional can answer questions about the label, possible interactions, or other contraceptive options. The Bottom Line Birth control should not be chosen based on a frightening story, a viral post, or pressure from another person. Every method has advantages and possible drawbacks, and the right choice depends on what matters to the person using it. Reliable information can help you make a decision that feels informed and voluntary. Sources and Further Reading American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Birth Control American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Intrauterine Device and Implant American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Combined Hormonal Birth Control: Pill, Patch, and Ring American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Progestin-Only Hormonal Birth Control: Pill and Injection American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Do I Need a Pelvic Exam to Get Birth Control? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Contraception and Birth Control Methods Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Condom Use: An Overview U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Opill Information This post provides general health education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. A healthcare professional can help determine which methods are appropriate based on a person’s health histoRead More »Birth Control Myth Check: What Teens Should Actually Know

• 

  Juan P Acevedo wrote a new post on the site CLACLS 11 hours, 13 minutes ago

  Research Associate / Postdoctoral Fellow – Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies Apply via CUNY Jobs The Graduate Center (GC) benefits from highly ambitious and diverse students and alumni—who in turn teach hundreds of t […]

• 

  Chris Maisano (he/him/his) wrote a new post on the site New Labor Forum 14 hours, 29 minutes ago

  A Working-Class Graduate is Something to Be Mutiny: The Rise and Revolt of the College-Educated Working Class By Noam Scheiber Farrar, Straus and Giroux, April 2026 In the spring of 2022, […]

• 

  Paul Fess wrote a new post on the site ENG 101: An Introduction to Composition and Research 16 hours, 1 minute ago

  They Say/I Say: Chapter 6

• 

  Paul Fess wrote a new post on the site ENG 101: An Introduction to Composition and Research 16 hours, 22 minutes ago

  Paper 3 PromptLink to assignment

• 

  Paul Fess wrote a new post on the site ENG 101: An Introduction to Composition and Research 16 hours, 43 minutes ago

  Zoom Meeting Week VILink to Sheet

• 

  Anthony Picciano wrote a new post on the site Tony's Thoughts 19 hours, 11 minutes ago

  Why Many Young Men Don’t Think College Is for Them Image courtesy of The Chronicle of Higher Education Dear Commons Community, This posting is derived from an article and interview […]

• 

  Anthony Picciano wrote a new post on the site Tony's Thoughts 19 hours, 36 minutes ago

  New Book:  “The American School of Spies” by Stephan Talty Dear Commons Community, I have just finished reading, The American School of Spies by Stephan Talty. It recounts the stories of a team […]

• 

  Shane Snipes (he/him/his) edited the blog post How to Make Asynchronous Teaching Memorable in the Age of AI in the group AI-Assisted Teaching & Learning: 1 day, 15 hours ago

  How to Make Asynchronous Teaching Memorable in the Age of AI Imagine a student opening an asynchronous course at 11:47 p.m. They watch a video, click through a chapter, complete a quiz, and submit an […]

• 

  Anthony Picciano wrote a new post on the site Tony's Thoughts 1 day, 19 hours ago

  Google Is Building an AI Fence Around the Internet It Once Championed Credit…Timo Lenzen Dear Commons Community, When Google prepared to go public in 2004, Larry Page, a co-founder of the company, wrote […]

More Blogs