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Is “natural” birth control safe?

We're here to straighten out some facts.

IN a nutshell Hi, friends! Thrilling news: The results from our pie poll are in and it's official, pumpkin pie is the ultimate Thanksgiving pie. Shoutout to reader Amy B. who wrote in with her recipe for pumpkin cake. (Get the recipe below!) OK, OK, enough pie talk. We're really here today to clarify misinformation that's circulating about birth control (yes on TikTok, where else?). We explain the potential risks of "natural" birth control, what the research says about hormonal birth control and cancer, and other facts about reproductive health. We'll also be talking about: • a superior bath mat made out of stone • why getting old is hot • advice you'd give your younger self • more health stories you need Stay sharp, Ginger Wojcik Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Ginger Wojcik December 7, 2022 • 6 min read

TikTok Takedown What's up with "natural" birth control? Is it safe? The TikTokers are at it again. This time, they want everyone to get off hormonal birth control and start using fertility awareness methods (FAMs) instead. Here's why that message could cause harm. Also known as the rhythm method, tracking your cycle, and natural birth control, FAMs involve using body temperature, cervical mucus, and a calendar to track your menstruation and ovulation cycle. "This would divide a calendar into fertile days, infertile days, and days when you're unlikely to be fertile but could still possibly get pregnant," says Audrey Amos, PharmD. According to Planned Parenthood, FAMs are between 77% and 98% effective, making them one of the least effective forms of birth control. You may be thinking, "But wait, 98% is pretty good!" And it is. But the trouble with FAMs is that they're notoriously hard to use, so not everyone is going to see a high rate of success. "This method is much less effective in practice because individuals' monthly cycles are often not predictable," says Amos. There are fertility tracking apps to help you track your cycle more efficiently, but their effectiveness requires a consistent level of diligence and attentiveness that makes them difficult to follow for many. While FAMs can be less effective than other forms of contraception, they may offer certain advantages: They don't have side effects. They're inexpensive. They don't require medication or the insertion of any foreign material. They can help you get more in tune with your body. Ultimately, birth control is a very personal choice, and everyone comes to the table with a different set of circumstances. It's always best to talk with your doctor about which types of birth control may be best for your lifestyle. tl;dr: People on TikTok are encouraging others to get off hormonal birth control and start using a fertility awareness method instead. FAMs are one of the least reliable methods of birth control, largely in part because they can be very difficult to follow. However, they may make sense for certain people. Always talk with your doctor before you switch birth control methods.

great finds Editor faves with health perks You know those great finds you just *have* to tell your friends about? That's how we feel about the products we recommend here. Every pick has been vetted by our editorial team, and we genuinely think it'll make your life better.       Sutera Stone Bath Mat As we all know, bath mats are an imperfect solution for avoiding a slippery bathroom floor. Sure, they (mostly) keep your floor dry, but then you're left with a soggy chunk of cloth that will almost certainly stay soggy until someone throws it in the laundry bin. But now there's a way to avoid that whole musty mess: bath mats made out of stone. Yes, stone. The Sutera Stone Bath Mat is made out of diatomaceous earth, which absorbs water and dries quickly so that it never has the chance to grow mildew. It also prevents bacteria growth and mold growth, which could be especially helpful if you have a mold allergy. Just consider buying one of the larger sizes, as many reviews point out the small size is pretty small for a bath mat. Shop now

say what   Look who's talking "Aging is in … Getting old is f*cking hot. It's sexy. It is probably the sexiest time in life, actually. Because being pretty and hot in your 20s is the f*cking trenches." – Julia Fox     Enough said. Amen, Julia.

Wednesday Kick Start Hormonal birth control misinformation, debunked Hormonal birth control — a category of contraceptives that use various hormones to reduce a person's chance of getting pregnant — is safe for the majority of people (read about the exceptions here). How can we be so sure? The first hormonal birth control option was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1960, meaning we have over 6 decades' worth of data to back up this claim. One common misconception is that hormonal birth control causes cancer. While it's true that people who take hormonal contraception have a slightly increased risk of breast and cervical cancers, they also have a slightly decreased risk of endometrial, ovarian, and colorectal cancers. It's important to note that none of this research shows causation, only correlation. Another popular false claim is that hormonal birth control can cause infertility. In fact, a 2011 systematic review of 17 studies found no significant difference in the 1-year pregnancy rates of those who took birth control and those who didn't. As with any medication, hormonal birth control has potential side effects that range from mild to extreme. But side effects don't necessarily make a medication unsafe. "It has been FDA approved and thoroughly investigated to determine that the drug's health benefits outweigh its known risks," explains Audrey Amos, PharmD. To put it another way, giving people control over when they get pregnant has been deemed worthy of the potential side effects. Hormonal birth control definitely isn't for everyone. But as one of the most effective, accessible, and affordable methods, it remains an indispensable tool for preventing unwanted pregnancies and protecting reproductive freedoms.

health stories you need What we're reading next More and more people are choosing to give birth in their homes. Home births are at their highest level in 30 years. Here's advice for doing it as safely as possible. Getting screened early for lung cancer can make all the difference. Early screening significantly improves the 5-year survival rate for lung cancer. So why don't more people have it done? Chris Hemsworth has a high risk of Alzheimer's disease, according to a genetic test. Learn about Hemsworth's story and the advantages and drawbacks of genetic testing. One day, a simple blood test may help predict breast cancer. Researchers have identified proteins in blood that change up to 2 years before a breast cancer diagnosis.

you're up Julia Fox's aforementioned TikTok made me think about "The Kardashians," which I started watching recently, and how everyone on that show is in an all-out war with wrinkles. (A war they're winning, thanks to their fortunes.) There's nothing wrong with cosmetic procedures. But this cultural obsession with youth neglects to acknowledge the benefits of getting older, like not caring so much what other people think of you, setting boundaries, and the sweet accumulation of knowledge. Every year for her birthday, a good friend of mine poses this question on Facebook: What advice would you give yourself at my age? I love reading through those responses, so I'm borrowing her prompt and handing it over to you all. We want to know: What's the top piece of advice you'd give your younger self? Share with us at wellnesswire@healthline.com.

Thanks for reading! As promised, here's Amy B.'s recipe for pumpkin cake. Ingredients: 1 15 oz. can pumpkin 3 tsp. cinnamon 3 tsp. nutmeg 3 eggs 1 cup sugar 1 12 oz. can evaporated milk 1 box yellow cake mix 3/4 cup melted butter Directions: Mix pumpkin–milk (so everything but the cake mix and butter) and pour in a greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle yellow cake mix on top. Pour melted butter over the top. Bake at 350°F for 60–70 minutes. If desired, layer chopped pecans or walnuts during the last 15 minutes of baking. Serve warm and top with whipped cream. Enjoy!

Until next time, Take care of yourself, and we'll see you again soon!     This edition was powered by Amy B.'s pumpkin cake, which I devoured in 2.5 sittings.   View in browser Did a friend send you this email? Subscribe here. To see all newsletters, click here. Privacy    |    Unsubscribe © 2022 Healthline Media 1423 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29707