Rumor Control: What Everyone Should Know About Birth Control

After being fed up with all the mood swings caused by my birth control, I wanted to make a change. So I did what the commercials told me to, and I recently asked my doctor about new birth control YAZ.

But while I was waiting to see my doctor, the nurse who was taking my blood pressure let out a little secret.

"Don’t go on YAZ," she said. "Almost all the pregnant women that came in this year were on YAZ."

Now, there isn't even the slightest bit of evidence to say that YAZ is any less effective than any other birth control pill, but I decided to try a new chewable birth control, FemCon Fe. It's so new that there aren't any rumors about it yet.

Although FemCon Fe doesn't have a reputation yet, there is an ongoing war between the millions of rumors about birth control pills and the truth.

Take a look at some of the most conflicting rumors about birth control that both men and women need to know.

BIRTH CONTROL MAKES YOU GAIN WEIGHT

This is the most common beat-a-dead-horse-4-billion-times rumor. Up until about two months ago, all of the four doctors I asked gave me the same exact answer to that question.

"Birth control pills don’t make you gain weight - that’s just not true anymore."

Then they gave me a judgmental look like I’m a lazy sack of crap for even attempting to blame my fat-ass on something other than Cheetos and VH1.

If you do feel as if the birth control is to blame, you shouldn’t let a doctor tell you how a drug affects your body. There aren’t any clear answers about weight gain and birth control, but you just have to decide what’s better: an unwanted extra five pounds or an unwanted baby.

Bottom Line: Depending on the woman, it’s possible.

ANTIBIOTICS LOWER THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BIRTH CONTROL

This is a tricky one that I first learned about the hard way. A year ago, my doctor, knowing full well that I was on birth control, prescribed me an antibiotic for strep throat.

Being the neurotic drug-hater that I am, I checked out every possible side effect that might not be on the label. I checked out WebMD.com, and sure enough, it was right there in black and white:

"This medication may decrease the effectiveness of combination-type birth control pills. This can result in pregnancy."

Feeling high and mighty that I caught a mistake my doctor made, I called her office to tell her that she forgot to tell me that this medicine could make me pregnant. I expected an immediate "I’m so sorry" followed by a basket of my favorite flowers sent to my apartment. Instead, I got, "That’s not really 100% true. If it does lower effectiveness, it’s very little. It shouldn’t really affect anything."

Since my doctor disagrees with WebMD and the label on the drug, my next step was to call another doctor, who told me something very different.

"You should always use another form of birth control when taking antibiotics - there is a reason why that warning is on the label."

Maybe it doesn’t lower the effectiveness of the pill too much, or maybe it does. Either way, it’s not a risk I’m willing to take and neither should you.

Bottom Line: It’s true.

BIRTH CONTROL CAUSES CANCER

This was something that even I thought was true up until a few days ago. The reason why this rumor just won't die is simply because there was a time when this was true. Women who took birth control before 1975 were shown to have triple the likelihood of getting breast cancer.

Another reason this rumor is popular is because, in some cases, exposure to birth control has caused cancer.

The fact is that taking birth control can actually protect you from getting cancer in the uterus, and recent studies have shown that birth control is not linked in any way to causing breast cancer.

Bottom Line: False.

HOW DID THESE RUMORS BEGIN?

There are many theories about how rumors get started about birth control, but here are some of the likely reasons these rumors start.

1)Conservative organizations with political agendas use the rumors to light controversy about the pill, hoping that women will reconsider using it.

2)Some of the rumors are still around because of the high dose of estrogen pills that were around in the '60s and '70s. But today’s birth control pills have a fraction of that and have fewer side effects.

Meeting Your Fling's Parents for Thanksgiving

If you're not careful, Thanksgiving could be the most terrifying day of your life.

It's stressful enough when you bring a new significant other home to meet the folks. But it downright blows when you have to meet his or her parents during the holidays. Face it, at Thanksgiving or Christmas, you're meeting not only the parents, but the whole damn family.

There are many do’s and don’ts when it comes to encroaching on another family’s Thanksgiving tradition.

The first thing to consider is if meeting the parents for Thanksgiving is a good decision or not. Going to your sweetheart’s family dinner can be the most rational next step in the relationship, but it can also be a disaster if the relationship is too new.

If you’ve only been dating someone for a week and he or she invites you to the family’s Thanksgiving dinner, that could be a red flag that this person may be way too clingy.

Before I let my boyfriend meet my family, I had to explain a few things... like the fact that my grandfather is a pastor and, if you eat before the prayer, you will be banished to Canada. If the relationship had only been a week old, I wouldn't have had the chance to tell him this. Without this vital knowledge, you could be walking right into a lion’s den.

WHAT TO DO IF THE FAMILY STARTS FIGHTING
No family is perfect. There is a reason why alcohol-related car accidents are more likely to occur during the holidays. Drinking alcohol can be tempting when forced to spend an entire day with your family.

One time, my sisters and I got into a fight during Christmas in front of my step-sister’s new boyfriend. He decided to add his two cents and say, "It seems like you both need to calm down and consider the other person’s perspective." My sisters and I stopped fighting each other and decided to aim our efforts on him. When a family feud begins to brew, lay low. It’s not your family and, if you try to intervene, you will look like the bad guy.

WHAT TO WEAR
More importantly, what not to wear. Shove the red pumps to the back of the closet and pull out the old sweater that your mom gave you in 1998. In fact, keep all the outfits that look like they could be on Flavor of Love in the closet and start thinking Kindergarten teacher. No mom has ever said, "Your girlfriend wore too many florals." Something classy and conservative is your best choice.

WHAT TO TALK ABOUT
We all know you’re just dying to bring up George Bush and Hillary Clinton, but leave the politics out of dinner conversation. Even if you think it’s a safe topic because you and your new fling have spent the last two months engaged in heavy conversations about presidential primaries and voting demographics, you never know where the parents stand on political issues.

One time, I got in trouble over a dinner conversation because I said the words "sexual orientation" instead of "sexual preference." Apparently, his parents felt strongly that homosexuals chose to be gay. I didn’t intend to open up Pandora’s box, but I didn’t know what else to talk about.

A cheap conversation trick is to ask about any random artifact in the house that looks like it may have family ties. Say something like, "What a pretty green vase." Or maybe say, "I love the paint color of the living room." Usually, these kinds of questions are perfect for meeting the parents, because they make you seem like you’re a genuine person and lead to a nice long story. Pretend to listen and you’ve bought yourself an easy 10 minutes.

In Public and On Campus the Best and Worst Places to Hook up

In the parking lot, on a bench, or in your car, are some of the first things we think about when we think public displays of affection.
You wouldn’t be a true owl if you haven’t seen or done an inappropriate thing or two around the Boca Campus.
“I’ve seen used condoms all around campus” Katie Kendall, 28, Public Communication Major said “I think well at least they’re being safe”
A few weeks ago I saw a pair of underwear by the AL parking garage and I decided to investigate. I asked 25 students about the most popular places around campus to hook up. Whether your roommate’s home or you’re just trying to spice things up where are the best and most popular places around FAU to make out or hook up?


THE MOST POPULAR
Besides a dorm room the most popular place too hook up is in your car, but the real question is which parking lot? The most popular parking lot to hook up in is the parking lot next to the AL parking garage in front of the lake. PROS: always have the benefit of controlling the temperature and music selection. CONS: besides being a stereotype, the leg room is never ideal..

FOR THE RISKY
If you’re one of those been there done that types- the most unique place to hook up is, the laundry rooms in the residence halls- especially the student apartments. Be sure to pick one at the very far end of the apartments because they’re less likely to get used. Also make sure you stick to one side of the laundry room, so people can’t see you from the windows. PROS: All the tide and bounce make it smell pretty nice. CONS: someone could walk in at any old time with a handful of dirty clothes

THE SAFE BET
If you’re shy or nervous about getting caught-there’s nothing wrong with grabbing a blanket and setting up by a lake. FAU has plenty of wooded lakeside areas that are ideal for a moonlit moment with your sweetie. PROS: chances are you’ll have total privacy. CONS: You might have to fight off giant man-eating-iguanas, snakes, mosquitoes or any other FAU wildlife..


I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT ABOUT IT
When you’re trying to think of a public place to make out its hard not to think about the private study rooms in the Library. Although I haven't found anyone who has actually done it, at least admitted it,but almost everyone admitted they thought about it. PROS: automatic bragging rights for the rest of your life CONS: Where to begin. First, if someone walks in it won’t be just a student-chances are it will be an administrator of some kind and they won’t just laugh it off. Second the chances of getting caught are way beyond likely; they’re practically a sure thing. And getting shushed is never hot. .


JUST LIKE IN THE MOVIES
A park bench can seem like a great place to score a few kisses, but some benches are better than others. The ones by the lake near the AL building are most likely the best because they’re low traffic areas, but keep in mind that these benches are in a heavily lit area. PROS: Very romantic and sweet CONS: Not a lot of privacy, and if you’re not careful about your bench selection your special moment could end up on video..

GET CREATIVE
If you’re willing there are plenty of places to steal a moment or two- check out this stairwell, the area underneath is practically covered by all sides. PROS: It’s a safe bet that you’re almost sure to get away with, especially if you go there at night. CONS: Be prepared to battle off the creepy critters that have shacked up in the cesspool of mold under the cement.

BETTER MAKE IT QUICK
This wouldn’t be a very good list if I didn’t include elevators. They can be a perfect spot for a quick place to lock lips. Choose a somewhat deserted elevator-trust me there are plenty on campus. The elevator to the Ritter art gallery in front of the Library is virtually untouched. That may be because it’s so old and the doors open so slowly it makes you feel like you’re in a scary movie. It would be a miracle if the thing actually works. But that’s not really your concern. PROS: Unless there’s a security camera it’s a pretty safe bet. CONS: You really could get stuck and instead of spending seven minutes in heaven you could be spending four hours with a person you don’t even like that much.

Men and Women May Share Similar Fantasies

Whoever said women are from Venus and men are from Mars must not have been referring to sexual fantasies.

During an episode of Private Practice last week, a female character was having the most unrealistic sexual fantasy in the history of sexual fantasies. Her fantasy consisted of a handsome guy saying things like, “I love your red hair” and "You’re so intelligent…that really turns me on."

Now I’m sure ABC was just using this absurd stereotypical fantasy for humor purposes and not as an actual portrayal of what women really fantasize about, but it made me think – what exactly are most women fantasizing about and is it so different from typical male sexual fantasies?

The media is constantly depicting women as either the innocent wife who always fakes a headache to get out of having sex, or the temptress with sex on the brain 24/7. But the reality is that men and women have similar sex drives and – drum roll please – fantasize about the exact same things.

Keep that in mind the next time you hesitate to tell your partner about your fantasies. It's understandable why most people would want to hide their fantasies from their partner, but consider this: almost every survey on sexual fantasies produced practically the same results for men and women.

The number one fantasy for men is to be with two women (I’m shocked), while the number three fantasy for women is to be with two men. Maybe that’s no surprise but what about this: another popular fantasy for men is to be able to watch two women together. And believe it or not, the number five fantasy for women is to actually have a sexual experience with another woman while a man is watching. (Oh my.)

For men, having a female take control of a sexual situation ranked number 10, and it's no surprise that it also ranked number eight for women.
The number eight sexual fantasy for men was to be seduced by an older woman, and one of the most common types of men that women fantasize about is the younger man - thanks to you, Mrs. Robinson. So maybe our fantasies are the same, but how could this help your relationship? Ahem - role-playing!

The next time you think your partner might not understand your weird sexual fantasies, chances are your partner is having the same ones.