Myths and Truths
about contraception

Anytime a woman has vaginal sex with a man, she is at risk of becoming pregnant. Even if the man pulls out.

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Your menstrual cycle begins on the first day of your period and continues up to the first day of your next period. This means it may be possible to get pregnant at any time during your menstrual cycle, even during or just after your period.

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Positions during sexual intercourse have no effect on whether or not conception occurs. So it is possible to become pregnant if contraception is not used, regardless of the position.

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Ovulation can occur during breastfeeding, so it is possible to get pregnant. However, if a woman has delivered a baby within the last six months and her baby is only feeding on breast milk, AND her menstrual cycle has not returned, then she can avoid getting pregnant, but all three of these criteria must be met to avoid pregnancy.

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Foreseeing the time of ovuluation and predicting any 'safe' days can be difficult because of how the menstrual cycle works. There are four major hormones involved in the menstrual cycle: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), Estrogen, Progesterone. A delicate balance of these hormones regulates the release of an egg (ovulation) and — if the egg is not fertilized-menstruation occurs — menstruation. While a woman’s cycle is more or less regular this balance of hormones can be disrupted by various factors, including age, stress and medicines.

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For most contraceptive pills, at least one week is required for the hormones in the pill to begin to prevent ovulation, so it is important to use a barrier contraceptive method. Make sure to check with your doctor on the specific instructions.

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Pulling out before the man ejaculates (known as withdrawl) is not an effective method of contraception because some sperm might be released before the man actually begins to climax.

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Myth or Truth