Busting Myths

There is a lot of myths around contraception and getting pregnant. These are some facts:

You’ve 350 million chances of getting pregnant after unprotected sex, it only takes one sperm.

A Women Can Still Get Pregnant

  • If a man pulls out of her vagina before he ‘comes’
  • If you have sex during your period
  • When you are breastfeeding
  • From only having sex once or from the first time you have sex
  • You can get pregnant even if you don’t orgasm
  • If you douche (squirt water or other liquid into her vagina or wash after sex)
  • You can get pregnant in whatever position you have sex
  • Being on the pill does not protect you from sexually transmitted infections

Did You Know

  • Being on the pill does not protect you from sexually transmitted infections
  • Using the pill and condoms together is one of the most effective forms of contraception
  • You are more likely to have unprotected sex after taking alcohol or drugs
  • Don’t allow your partner to pressurise you into having unprotected sex
  • Unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections are increasing in numbers
  • Always carry a condom
  • Learn about contraception so that you can use it properly

Myths & Facts about the Emergency Contraceptive Pill

MYTH: The emergency contraceptive pill can only be taken the “morning after” unprotected sex
FACT: Depending on the method used, the emergency contraceptive pill can be used up to 3 days (72 hours) or 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex but is more effective the sooner it is taken.
MYTH: The emergency contraceptive pill can only be taken three times over a woman’s lifetime
FACT: Repeated use of the emergency contraceptive pill poses no health risks and has no effect on future fertility. However frequent use is not recommended because it is not as effective as regular or long-term contraception.
MYTH: The emergency contraceptive pill causes an abortion
FACT: The emergency contraceptive pill does not cause an abortion, it prevents pregnancy. It works by preventing or delaying ovulation, thereby preventing fertilisation. The emergency contraceptive pill will not disrupt an existing pregnancy.
MYTH: Only teenage girls use the emergency contraceptive pill
FACT: Women and girls of all ages use the emergency contraceptive pill as a safe, responsible and effective way of preventing pregnancy when a regular method fails (e.g. condom burst, missed pill, or late start to a new cycle of pills), when no contraception was used, or when sex was forced.
MYTH: The emergency contraceptive pill encourages women and girls to have unprotected sex and to stop using regular methods of contraception
FACT: Research studies from around the world have consistently found that increased access to the emergency contraceptive pill does not result in an increase in unprotected sex or a decrease in regular contraceptive use.