Birth control is used by over half of women in the U.S., yet there are many misconceptions surrounding it. The Onion looks at common myths and facts of birth control.
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MYTH
The morning-after pill is like an abortion.
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FACT
You don’t typically walk out of Planned Parenthood with a candy bar, AAA batteries, and a pack of cigarettes after an abortion.
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MYTH
Birth control should be taken at the same time every day.
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FACT
Oh, whoops. Just take two now, it’s probably fine.
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MYTH
Condoms make sex less pleasurable.
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FACT
Screaming three-month-olds make sex less pleasurable.
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MYTH
Cindy Kaloski took birth control, and she’s dead now.
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FACT
Well, yeah, but that’s because she got hit by a car.
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MYTH
Older people don’t need birth control.
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FACT
Alec Baldwin has had six children in the past seven years.
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MYTH
Fertility can be permanently damaged by using birth control.
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FACT
It may take a few months for a cycle to return to normal, but there are no other birth control-related impediments to a woman wishing to ruin her life with children.
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MYTH
Hormonal birth control pills can help treat acne.
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FACT
That’s a great excuse for telling your mom why you need the pill.
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MYTH
Birth control is 100% effective.
![The Onion](/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/7923c035283e7269d182933c1b3833d3.jpg)
FACT
It’s a boy!