Sunday Mirror: HEALTH: MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT YOUR CONTRACEPTION

NATURAL FAMILY

PLANNING

THE MYTH: 'It's the withdrawal method or no sex at all. And it doesn't work'

THE TRUTH: Natural family planning is 98% effective if taught properly (you can't learn it from a book). 'It's important to talk about this option because most people don't know what it is,' says Toni. 'It's not withdrawal, it's not the rhythm method and it's not about playing Russian roulette with your body. It's about teaching women to recognise and understand the different physical signs of ovulation, which include changes in temperature and vaginal secretions. It is ideal for women who want to know more about their bodies. It can be used to plan or prevent pregnancy, as well as being a choice for women whose religious or cultural beliefs limit their contraceptive choices. To find your nearest teacher, call the FPA helpline on 0845 310 1334 or see Fertility UK at www.fertilityUK.org.

THE INJECTION THE MYTH: 'It gives you osteoporosis'

THE TRUTH: There is evidence to suggest the Depo-Provera injection may have some effect on bone mineral density. 'However that does not mean it gives you osteoporosis,' says Toni. 'It means that women who are under the age of 20 - at an age when major bone- building is taking place - should be advised carefully about taking Depo-Provera. This is particularly important if there is a family history of osteoporosis.' It's worth mentioning the injection is non- reversible (it protects you against pregnancy for 12 weeks by releasing progestogen) and can't be removed from your body if you suffer side-effects. Unlike all the other methods, it can take a year for your fertility to return, so it's not suitable if you want to start a family soon.

THE PATCH THE MYTH: 'It's a killer contraceptive'

THE TRUTH: Headlines linking the patch to deadly blood clots don't give the full story, says Toni. 'All oestrogen- based contraception, such as the combined pill, have a slightly raised risk of blood clots. The patch has exactly the same risk, but the media made it sound as if it was somehow more dangerous. It's vital to put the risk into perspective. If you're not on an oestrogen- based contraceptive, the risk of a blood clot is 5 in 100,000. If you're on the pill or patch, that risk rises to 25 in 100,000. But for pregnant women, the risk is 60 in 100,000. It's also a myth that the patch falls off easily. It's very sticky and if you apply it properly you can swim, shower and bathe without any problem.'

THE COMBINED PILL

THE MYTH: 'Lots of side effects and not right for older women'

THE TRUTH: Your pill should not make you feel ill, says Toni Belfield, director of information for the Family Planning Association (FPA). 'Most side effects are temporary, but there are 34 brands of pill - if yours doesn't suit you, talk to your doctor about switching.' There's also no evidence the pill makes you put on weight. 'Studies show any weight gain is down to fluid retention or, more usually, other factors like diet or lack of exercise,' says Toni. 'You don't need to take a break from the pill, either. The hormones don't build up and there is no effect on your fertility - it will normally return within weeks of coming off the pill. And the combined pill is not just for younger women. If you don't smoke and there are no other contraindications you can take it right up to menopause.'

IMPLANT

THE MYTH: 'Uncomfortable, visible and difficult to remove'

THE TRUTH: It's about the size of a hairgrip and you shouldn't be able to see it, although you can feel it, says Toni. 'It doesn't affect your mobility and it's not uncomfortable. It's fitted under the skin of your upper arm and works by releasing the hormone progestogen to prevent ovulation, thicken the cervical mucus and thin the lining of the womb. It takes five mins to fit at the doctor's surgery under local anaesthetic. It's effective for three years but is very simple to remove. Apart from irregular bleeding, side effects are low and very few women take it out because they feel it doesn't suit their body.'

THE CONDOM

THE MYTH: 'Unsexy, ineffective'

THE TRUTH: Thanks to the horror stories about condoms breaking, you may be surprised to hear they are 98% effective when used properly. 'There's usually a reason a condom breaks - whether it's not putting it on correctly or soon enough, ripping it with fingernails or weakening it with oil-based lubricants,' says Toni. 'Some people complain it gets in the way, but that's often down to inexperience or lack of confidence - many couples make it a fun part of love-making.' And if you have found condoms irritating in the past, it's worth giving them another try. 'Condoms used to be lubricated with spermicide but that's now been found to be unnecessary as well as aggravating to the skin so it's being phased out.' Male and female condoms are the only contraceptive to help protect against STDs.

THE INTRAUTERINE SYSTEM

THE MYTH: 'Causes bad periods, and only for women who've already had kids'

THE TRUTH: Many confuse the IUS with the Intrauterine Device, (IUD, formerly known as the coil), as both are inserted into the womb through the cervix. 'The IUD may cause heavier periods in some women, but the IUS makes periods lighter,' says Toni. 'The IUS releases progestogen which keeps the lining of the womb very thin to prevent pregnancy.' Both methods can be used by women who haven't had babies.

THE PROGESTOGEN ONLY PILL

THE MYTH: 'It's got to be taken at the same time every day'

THE TRUTH: 'In the past, women were told they had to take the POP at the same time every day,' says Toni. But last year research showed that one brand, Cerazette, was still effective if taken within 12 hours of the usual time. Unlike the combined pill, the POP can be used by smokers and women who are breast-feeding. It can cause irregular bleeding, but many women find the POP helps with premenstrual symptoms and heavy periods.'