15+ Misconceptions to Eliminate

1. "All oral contraceptives are steroidal/hormonal." REALITY: Saheli (centchroman) is a non-steroidal oral contraceptive. It is the important exception.

2. "ZIFT and IVF-ET are the same procedure." REALITY: ZIFT transfers a zygote to the FALLOPIAN TUBE; IVF-ET transfers an embryo to the UTERUS.

3. "In GIFT, fertilization occurs in the laboratory." REALITY: GIFT transfers unfertilized gametes to the fallopian tube — fertilization occurs IN VIVO (inside the body), not in a lab.

4. "Vasectomy makes a man sterile — he cannot produce sperm." REALITY: Vasectomy prevents sperm from entering the ejaculate. Sperm production in the testes continues and sperm are reabsorbed.

5. "Copper IUDs work by releasing hormones." REALITY: Copper IUDs are completely non-hormonal. Cu2+ ions work by being directly toxic to sperm and increasing phagocytosis.

6. "LAM is effective throughout the entire duration of breastfeeding." REALITY: LAM is effective for only up to 6 months, and only with EXCLUSIVE breastfeeding (no supplemental feeds).

7. "All STDs are curable with antibiotics." REALITY: Viral STDs (herpes, hepatitis B, HIV) are NOT curable with antibiotics. Only bacterial and protozoan STDs are curable.

8. "HIV is a DNA virus like Hepatitis B." REALITY: HIV is a retrovirus (ssRNA genome, uses reverse transcriptase). Hepatitis B is a DNA virus (Hepadnaviridae).

9. "Trichomoniasis is caused by a virus and cannot be cured." REALITY: Trichomonas vaginalis is a PROTOZOAN, and trichomoniasis IS CURABLE with metronidazole.

10. "ICSI is used for female infertility (blocked tubes)." REALITY: ICSI is specifically indicated for SEVERE MALE INFERTILITY. For blocked tubes, IVF-ET is used.

11. "The MTP Act 2021 amendment allows termination up to 24 weeks for all women." REALITY: 24 weeks applies only to SPECIAL CATEGORIES (rape survivors, differently-abled, minors). Standard limit remains 20 weeks.

12. "Amniocentesis was banned entirely under the PCPNDT Act." REALITY: Amniocentesis was banned ONLY for sex determination. Legitimate medical uses (detecting chromosomal abnormalities) are still permitted.

13. "Diaphragms and cervical caps protect against STDs like condoms do." REALITY: Only condoms protect against STDs. Diaphragms and cervical caps only cover the cervix and do not prevent STD transmission.

14. "LNG-20 prevents ovulation like OC pills." REALITY: LNG-20's primary local mechanisms are thickening cervical mucus and making the endometrium inhospitable — ovulation suppression may occur as a secondary effect but is NOT the primary mechanism.

15. "Saheli prevents ovulation." REALITY: Saheli (centchroman) prevents IMPLANTATION by blocking estrogen receptors in the uterus. It does NOT prevent ovulation.

16. "The rhythm method is equally effective for all women." REALITY: The rhythm method fails with irregular cycles. Women with cycles ranging beyond the standard 28 days cannot accurately predict their fertile window.