It seems the same tired old wives stories about birth control pills are still popular today. These myths have been passed down from generation to generation, and apparently nothing can shake them from the public consciousness. And while some may have a little grain of truth, most of them have been completely twisted out of proportion over the years.

One of the reasons young women still refuse to take birth control pills is because they fear they will gain weight. They may also fear getting horrible acne, growing facial hair, or increasing the size of their hips and breasts. None of these fears could be further from the truth. What the pill does is regulate estrogen, which can initially cause some water retention and bloating (much like symptoms of a menstrual cycle). Changing the dose or waiting until the body regulates itself, which can take a few months, will usually resolve the problem. In general, the pill is known to lessen acne, or it may not make any noticeable change, but it would be unusual for it to cause it suddenly. It also does not produce facial hair or increase the size of the breasts and hips, although these areas may swell slightly.

So why do so many women insist that they have experienced some of these side effects? The likely answer is inexact cause and relationship. The hormones in your body are changing, which can temporarily throw off your mood. This alone can cause increased appetite or added stress, which can lead to weight gain or acne. Another reason could be that they start taking the pill at a young age when the body hasn’t fully stopped developing, which means bigger breasts and wider hips. Our bodies are constantly changing in small ways throughout our lives, but by changing medications, some people become hyper-aware of any small difference.

Has anyone ever warned you that taking birth control pills can cause cancer? It seems that almost everything nowadays has the potential to kill you or cause some devastating disease and again, the problem usually stems from the wrong cause and effect. Do women who take birth control get cancer? Yes. Is it because of the pill? No. In fact, studies show just the opposite. It is estimated that by taking the pill regularly, women are 1/3 less likely to suffer from uterine or ovarian cancer. There has also been no conclusive evidence linking the pill to higher rates of breast cancer. Also, the use of the pill is very unlikely to cause birth defects in babies once you are ready to conceive, as long as you stop taking them in advance.

Not all the truths about birth control are so rosy. There are possible side effects that commonly include nausea, headaches, mood swings, breast pain, and spotting. Many of these can be controlled by changing products and dosages, or by waiting a few months for the body to adjust. In some rare cases, more serious complications are possible, so it is important to consult with a doctor before beginning.