knew a garlic chicken butty could have stopped me having kids
New research has revealed some bizarre myths about contraception methods believed by women in Britain, involving bread, chicken skin and garlic.
The online survey of 1,000 women aged 18 to 50 unearthed a number of misconceptions about family planning.
Some women believe bread, cling film and chicken skin can be used as barrier method contraceptives, while others think eating garlic will prevent pregnancy.
The poll, carried out by Opinion Health for drug manufacturer Bayer Schering Pharma, also found a number of misunderstandings about the contraceptive pill.
Half of those surveyed wrongly thought that taking the pill long term could cause infertility, and 10 per cent said that it would always take a number of years to regain fertility after coming off the medication.
Over a third thought that the greatest risk of getting pregnant while taking the combined contraceptive pill occurred in the middle of a pack, when in fact it is at the beginning and end.
Dr Annie Evans, Women's Health Specialist at the Bristol Sexual Health Centre, said: "It is not surprising that this survey has uncovered how widespread contraceptive myths still are in this country, given that Britain continues to have the highest unintended pregnancy rate in Europe, with as many as 50 per cent of births being unintended. It is vital that women are made aware of the facts, using the credible sources of information available to them
New research has revealed some bizarre myths about contraception methods believed by women in Britain, involving bread, chicken skin and garlic.
The online survey of 1,000 women aged 18 to 50 unearthed a number of misconceptions about family planning.
Some women believe bread, cling film and chicken skin can be used as barrier method contraceptives, while others think eating garlic will prevent pregnancy.
The poll, carried out by Opinion Health for drug manufacturer Bayer Schering Pharma, also found a number of misunderstandings about the contraceptive pill.
Half of those surveyed wrongly thought that taking the pill long term could cause infertility, and 10 per cent said that it would always take a number of years to regain fertility after coming off the medication.
Over a third thought that the greatest risk of getting pregnant while taking the combined contraceptive pill occurred in the middle of a pack, when in fact it is at the beginning and end.
Dr Annie Evans, Women's Health Specialist at the Bristol Sexual Health Centre, said: "It is not surprising that this survey has uncovered how widespread contraceptive myths still are in this country, given that Britain continues to have the highest unintended pregnancy rate in Europe, with as many as 50 per cent of births being unintended. It is vital that women are made aware of the facts, using the credible sources of information available to them
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