SPECS Panther Column — Myth Busters Series: IUDs & Birth Control Misinformation

Birth control can be an overwhelming topic. Social media, news reports and day-to-day conversations are rife with false information surrounding contraception. SPECS is here to break down some misconceptions and provide accurate resources for students, although we acknowledge that we are NOT medical providers and therefore do not offer direct advice nor recommendations. An informed, mutual understanding of available birth control methods is an important part of informed consent, and all parties engaging in a sexual activity are responsible for prioritizing one another’s reproductive health. Often the responsibility of thinking about and accessing birth control falls on partners with uteruses, but that doesn’t mean that people without uteruses shouldn’t be informed about it.

The main categories for birth control options are hormonal, barrier, and non-hormonal or non-barrier. Specifically, hormonal methods include the use of progestin or estrogen intrauterine devices (IUDs) like Mirena, Liletta, Kyleena or Skyla, as well as the Pill, the Nexplanon arm implant, the Patch and the Nuvaring. Barrier methods encompass internal and external condoms, cervical caps and diaphragms. Non-hormonal or non-barrier methods include the copper IUD, fertility awareness and the ‘pull out method.’ Middlebury Health Services at Centeno House provides free condoms, consultations about IUDs and other hormonal or implant methods and free emergency contraception Plan B (with an appointment). Call their nurse line at (802)-443-3290 to make an appointment to discuss your options. The Middlebury Health & Wellness Education office also supplies condoms, which can be found in Ross basement (next to their office) and in McCullough.

With this general understanding of birth control methods, here are five common myths we want to bust about birth control:

Myth 1: IUDs cause breast cancer 

A 2024 Danish study on hormonal IUDs and their relation to breast cancer was recently prominently cited in The New York Times. Importantly, there are conflicting studies about this topic and the media’s wording of this specific study is misleading. This recent study, which looked at levonorgestrel IUDs (hormonal), observed a very small correlation between levonorgestrel IUDs and breast cancer. Its conclusion was based on an additional 14 out of 10,000 women who use a levonorgestrel IUD developing breast cancer after five years compared to the average. The study did not have a control group, meaning there could have been other factors not related to the IUD, like genetics or smoking history, that caused breast cancer to develop. In comparison to the one in eight (1,250/10,000) chance that the average American woman will develop breast cancer, the likelihood of developing breast cancer from a levonorgestrel IUD is very slim. In fact, multiple other studies conclude that the use of IUDs is linked to a decrease in prevalence of invasive cervical cancers.

Myth 2: The only reason people take the Pill is to prevent pregnancy

Though pregnancy prevention is a primary reason some choose an oral contraceptive option, a variety of other reasons exist too. Managing acne, heavy periods, bone thinning, anemia, premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder are some of the associated benefits of birth control. Furthermore, it can help prevent ovarian and endometrial cancers and infections of the ovaries, uterus or Fallopian tubes. Additionally, combined and progestin-only pills may lower the risk of an ectopic pregnancy, which is a dangerous condition that occurs when an egg is fertilized outside of the uterus. Keep in mind that one form of birth control that works well for one person might not work well for everyone. Speak to your medical provider to decide how you can best manage your reproductive health. 

Myth 3: Birth control harms fertility

There have been no statistically significant studies that show that birth control negatively affects fertility. People who wish to get pregnant and stop taking birth control, and who do not have other underlying fertility problems, are not having a more difficult time getting pregnant than people who have never taken birth control. If someone has fertility concerns relating to birth control or other topics, consult a medical provider. 

Myth 4: Plan B is the abortion pill / You can’t take plan B more than “X” times 

The “Morning-After Pill” and the abortion pill are made up of two different medications and work in two distinct ways. The morning-after pill contains the emergency contraceptive levonorgestrel. If taken within five days of unprotected intercourse, levonorgestrel lowers the chance of becoming pregnant by delaying ovulation so the egg does not release and thus cannot be fertilized by the sperm. The morning-after pill is not recommended as a regular-use contraceptive (potentially unpleasant side effects are common), but there is no limit on how many times one can take it. One can buy the morning-after pill, like Plan B, at a drugstore or for free at Centeno House (with an appointment). Alternatively, one can be prescribed Ella, a specific emergency contraception brand that contains ulipristal acetate. Unlike the morning-after pill, the abortion pill is used when fertilization has already occurred and a person is pregnant. The abortion pill uses Mifepistrone and blocks pregnancy hormones, which then causes the pregnancy to end. While state-to-state guidelines differ, acquiring abortion pills requires some sort of medical consultation. You can get the abortion pill by visiting Women’s Health at Porter Hospital, Planned Parenthood (in Burlington or Rutland) or through an online medical consultation. 

Myth 5: You need a prescription for birth control

Birth control can take many forms, and internal or external condoms do not require a prescription or a doctor’s appointment. Spermicidal lube is also an over-the-counter option, although it must be noted that it can cause irritation, does not protect against STIs and is 79-86% effective. In 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a no-prescription-needed daily birth control pill called the O-pill. The O-pill is a progestin-only birth control pill that is 98% effective when used correctly to reduce the chance of pregnancy and can be purchased at a drugstore, grocery store or online.

These five debunked myths present only a fraction of prevalent sexual-health misinformation that exists in online and in-person circles, so it is vital to fact-check and utilize accurate resources. If you have any other myths or sexual-health questions, use the anonymous form at go/askspecs and we will answer them on our Instagram page!