LIES

TRUTH

Contraceptives are abortifacients

The prevention of pregnancy is contraception and not abortion. The World Health Organization is clear on this point. It classifies oral and injectable hormonal methods, intrauterine devices and barrier methods as part of its core list of essential medicines, under the clear heading “Contraceptives.”

No contraceptive is safe, acceptable and effective

Contraceptives are included in the World Health Organization’s Model Lists of Essential Drugs making contraceptives part of the most efficacious, safe and cost-effective medicines for priority conditions that are selected on the basis of current and estimated future public health relevance.

The pill is harmful/damaging to the health; it causes cancer and has many side effects

Pills are not harmful for most women's health. Some clients may be concerned that the pill causes cancer, but studies show that the risk is very low for almost all women. The pill can even protect against some types of cancer. (Studies conducted by the International Agency on the Research of Cancer show that combined oral contraceptive pills increase the risk (not cause) of some cancers but also decrease the risk of other cancers. Serious complications like heart attack, stroke, and blood clots in deep veins of the legs/lungs are rare. Less menstrual bleeding can even help reduce anemia.

Taking the pill while a woman is pregnant, causes damage to the unborn

The combined estrogen and progesterone pills and the progesterone-only contraceptives pills have shown no effect on the pregnancy or the fetus when taken by pregnant women.   

Hormonal contraceptives, e.g. pills, alter the lining of the uterus

To make an informed choice, women must know that Emergency Contraceptive Pills—like all regular hormonal contraceptives such as the birth control pill, the implant Implanon, the vaginal ring NuvaRing, the Evra patch, and the injectable Depo-Provera, and even breastfeeding —may prevent pregnancy by delaying or inhibiting ovulation, inhibiting fertilization, or inhibiting subsequent implantation of a fertilized egg.

Promotion and use of contraceptives do not reduce abortion

Government reports reveal that causes of abortion are often linked to unwanted pregnancies. Thus, to address the numerous cases of unwanted pregnancy, there must be a range of options across a wide spectrum of contraceptives.

There are international committees such as The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and The UN Human Rights Council who assert the link between lack of access to contraception and increased rates of abortion.

Analysis of data from more than 20 years of study on the impact of quality Family Planning services on women’s reproductive health needs in Matlab area of Bangladesh showed that where such services are available, demand for abortion declined.

In Hungary, in the mid 1960s, an increase in the availability of contraceptives led to a sharp rise in their use, which continued through the mid 1980s. At about the same time, the levels of abortion began to drop sharply.

Pregnancy occurs upon fertilization

Medical authorities define pregnancy as a process which involves the production of male and female gametes and their union at fertilization. Pregnancy is that part of the process that commences with the implantation of the conceptus in a woman (verification of this is usually only possible at the present time at 3 weeks or more after implantation), and ends with either
the birth (WHO definition of a birth: 22 weeks menstrual age or more) of an infant or an abortion.”
Fertilization is a necessary but insufficient step towards pregnancy. Physicians do not diagnose pregnancy by detecting fertilization. Traditionally, diagnosis is made on the basis of history and physical examination. The classic presentation is a woman with menses of regular frequency who presents with amenorrhea, nausea, vomiting, etc. Upon physical examination, signs may be observed at time periods way beyond fertilization—around the sixth week onwards. Diagnosis is done through a pregnancy test based on elevated levels of the hormone released by the growing placenta.  This usually registers nine (9) days after implantation. 

Condoms cannot protect us from AIDS

Male latex condoms are proven to be highly effective against HIV/STIs when used consistently and correctly. Thus, it is promoted and strongly recommended by the World Health Organization for dual protection against pregnancy and diseases/infections.

Sexuality education does not reduce the number of teen pregnancy and abortion rather, that it promotes adolescent promiscuity

In a 1997 review of 53 studies on sex education around the world, only 3 reports found increases in sexual behavior after interventions. Twenty-two of the studies indicated that such courses helped delay the onset of sexual activity, led to a decrease in sex or reduced pregnancy/STI rates.

Comprehensive sex education programmes provide teenagers with factual information about biology, aspects of sexuality…, the consequences of pregnancy and abortion, contraceptive methods, prevention of STIs/HIV, sexual violence and gender. They also devote attention to the emotional aspects of relationships and the benefits and disadvantages of postponing sexual activity. Skills training can also help adolescents learn…how to negotiate or insist upon safer sex when they are or become sexually active, and how to resist pressures from peers and potential partners if they do not want to.