One of the problems for women, both as teenagers and older, is that when they are trying to choose the right method of contraception there are so many stories out there on what works, what doesn't and what damage can be done that they do not know what to believe. This misinformation can come from friends who are trying to help but truly do not know than answers, from religious advisors who are trying to discourage the use of contraception or from news sources that have reported things erroneously.

For example, many people believe that the Pill becomes effective the moment a woman begins using it. This is false; it requires one complete cycle before it begins to be good protection. Many women believe that they cannot get pregnant while they are nursing their baby. While breastfeeding does affect ovulation it does not stop it completely as many women think. Far too many new mothers have found themselves pregnant shortly after the two to six week bleeding period following the birth of their child. This can be avoided by using any method of contraception except the Pill.

Some people believe that position makes the difference whether a woman conceives or not. They think that if the woman is on top or they have sex in a standing position that these are methods of preventing pregnancy. But they are not. Although lesser sperm may enter the body, there is still enough for conception to occur. Using a douche after having sex, or showering or urinating immediately after intercourse, none of these are useful methods of contraception. These are just more myths.

There are those who believe that is you do not have a condom it is okay to use a balloon or even the plastic wrap you use for your food. This is very wrong. A condom is made to securely fit and hold the ejaculated sperm. They are also made so they will not tear during intercourse. A balloon, or plastic wrap, cannot serve this function. They are too thin. As well, either can easily tear. The balloon could even wind up being too tight and cause damage.

One of the greatest, and most common, misconceptions about the risks of getting pregnant is that if it is the first time you have intercourse you cannot get pregnant. This is not true at all. Conceiving a baby has nothing to do with how many times you have sex. It does not matter if it is the first time, the twentieth time or the one hundredth time. What matters is where a woman is in her cycle. If it is her fertile period and she has intercourse then she will have a high probability of conceiving. A woman must never listen to such rubbish.

The use of contraception for a woman who can become pregnant is a must whether it is her or her lover who takes the precautions. So, instead of listening to the rumors and myths it is essential that a sexually active woman gets the facts before having intercourse.