On this special episode of The Care Circle, host Sahiba is joined by Dr. Preethika Shetty, Senior Consultant Gynaecologist, Obstetrician, and Fertility Health Specialist at Motherhood Hospitals, Kharadi,Pune. Together, they bust some of the most common myths around contraception, explore modern methods beyond the pill, and discuss the growing role of informed choice in reproductive health.

From understanding STI protection and emergency pills to promoting shared responsibility between partners, this episode sheds light on how contraception isn’t just a woman’s issue; it’s a health priority for all. Dr. Shetty also breaks down the best contraceptive options for different life stages, and offers clear, practical answers to the most common questions couples bring to her clinic.

Here are the key points you shouldn’t miss from this episode:

-> Contraception isn’t just about avoiding pregnancy, it’s about planning, protection, and empowerment.
-> Barrier methods like condoms offer dual protection against both pregnancy and STIs like HIV, HPV, and chlamydia.
-> Emergency pills are not regular contraception; frequent use can lead to hormonal imbalance, irregular periods, and health risks like ectopic pregnancy.
-> Self-prescribing emergency pills or skipping medical advice can lead to serious complications.
-> There are multiple methods: barrier, hormonal, IUDs, implants, permanent options, each suited to different needs, bodies, and life stages.
-> IUDs (especially hormonal ones) can also help manage conditions like heavy periods and adenomyosis.
-> Side effects of IUDs are manageable but require regular follow-ups and awareness of symptoms like missed periods.
-> Contraception must be a shared responsibility; men can (and should) opt for condoms or vasectomy when suitable.
-> Myths like “contraceptives cause infertility” or “vasectomy affects masculinity” are outdated and untrue.
-> Gen Z and millennials are more open to the conversation, but often rely on half-information from social media; doctors remain the most reliable source.
-> There is no one-size-fits-all method; what matters is finding the right fit with medical guidance.

Dr. Preethika Shetty, Senior Consultant Gynaecologist, Obstetrician & Fertility Specialist at Motherhood Hospitals, Kharadi, Pune

0:05 – Host intro: When myths speak louder than facts
0:12 – Welcome to The Care Circle: A space for women’s and family health
0:23 – Introducing the episode: Myths, methods & modern mindsets around contraception
0:40 – Why contraception is about more than pregnancy prevention
0:54 – Guest intro: Dr. Preethika Shetty
1:30 – Welcome to the Care Circle, Doctor
1:38 – Broader benefits of contraception: Planning, protection, empowerment
2:30 – Contraception & STIs: How barrier methods offer dual protection
3:53 – Emergency contraceptives: Why they’re not a long-term solution
5:13 – Ectopic pregnancy risks from emergency pill misuse
5:51 – Common questions in the clinic: Pills, IUDs, vasectomy doubts
6:59 – A quick guide to types of contraception
7:55 – Choosing what’s best: Factors that influence contraceptive choice
8:44 – There’s no “right” method, just the right fit for your life
8:55 – Hormonal IUDs for heavy periods and adenomyosis
9:53 – Who should and shouldn’t use IUDs
10:18 – Side effects and follow-ups after IUD insertion
11:00 – Shared responsibility: Why contraception isn’t just a woman’s job
12:03 – Rapid fire: Myth-busting round begins
12:14 – Myth 1: Contraceptives cause permanent infertility
12:30 – Myth 2: Birth control pills cause weight gain
12:49 – Myth 3: Vasectomy affects masculinity
13:07 – Myth 4: Withdrawal is safe
13:26 – Myth 5: Breastfeeding is foolproof contraception
13:47 – Myth 6: No contraception is needed during periods
13:57 – Clearing up common contraception myths
14:05 – Gen Z & millennials: Are younger generations more open?
14:43 – Final takeaway: Don’t self-prescribe, consult your doctor
15:13 – Closing, thank you to Dr. Preethika Shetty
15:23 – Final message: Contraception = choice, control, and care
15:42 – Outro: World Contraception Day message from The Care Circle

(0:05) Sahiba: They say knowledge is power, but when it comes to contraception, myths often speak louder than facts. Welcome back to the Care Circle, a podcast series by Motherhood Hospitals, your trusted space for conversations on women’s health, family care, and children’s well-being. I am your host Sahiba, and on this World Contraception Day, we are cutting through the noise to talk openly about contraception, the myths that hold us back, the methods we should know about, and the modern mindsets that are shaping healthier, more informed choices.

Because contraception isn’t just about avoiding pregnancy, it’s about protecting health, preventing infections, and giving women and couples the confidence to plan their future their way. To guide us through this important conversation, we are joined by someone who has helped countless women and couples through this journey, Dr. Preethika Shetty, Senior Consultant Gynaecologist,  Obstetrician, and Fertility Health Specialist at Motherhood Hospitals, Kharadi,Pune. With over 17 plus years of experience, Dr. Preethika is known for her gentle, positive, and ethical approach to care, from helping women make informed decisions to ensuring smooth deliveries and recoveries.

Welcome to the Care Circle, Doctor, and thank you for joining us. 

(1:30) Dr. Preethika Shetty: Thank you so much, Sahiba, for a beautiful introduction. I’m very glad to be here, especially to discuss an important topic today.

(1:38) Sahiba: That’s great, Doctor. So, let’s start with the basics, Doctor. Many people still see contraception only as a means to prevent pregnancy, but it goes far beyond that.

Could you explain us the broader benefits, Doctor?

(1:50) Dr. Preethika Shetty: Yes, absolutely. Contraception is about planning the pregnancy, protecting the women from unwanted pregnancies, empowering the women about understanding the contraceptive methods. It will allow couples to decide when they want to have children, as well as reduce the health risks, the time needed, and efforts to resolve these unplanned pregnancies.

So, in a broader aspect, it gives women a greater control on their health and the future. 

 (2:19) Sahiba: That’s quite reassuring to know, Doctor. It’s really about taking control rather than just preventing something.

So, Doctor, when we talk about contraception, most people only think about pregnancy prevention. But there’s also the crucial aspect of protection from infections. Could you help us understand how contraception plays a role in preventing STIs like HIV and HPV, and why only some methods offer that added layer of safety? 

(2:47) Dr. Preethika Shetty: So, generally, when we see young girls coming to our OPD, when we start talking to them about contraception, some couple, we see that they’re not keen on knowing that, thinking that they can manage the pregnancy prevention by some means, maybe by any other kind of natural methods.

But the main common gap in understanding is that these contraceptive methods, especially the barrier methods, have a beautiful protection against the unplanned, unwanted STIs. So, the barrier methods like condoms, maybe male, female, or diaphragms, these will prevent from STIs as well. Now, if any girl encounters any kind of STI, maybe hepatitis B, HIV, HPV, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, it is a challenge itself to get it treated or face those symptomatology.

So, we would suggest all young people, especially with new partners, or when you have multiple partners, it is always better to use condoms irrespective of if you’re using any other protection, because these methods will form a dual protection. 

(3:53) Sahiba: That really puts things into perspective, doctor. That brings me to something we hear far too often, doctor. People walking into a pharmacy, buying an emergency pill, and thinking they’ve got it all figured out. Can you explain why this isn’t a long-term solution?

(4:08) Dr. Preethika Shetty: True. Basically, emergency contraceptives, as the name mentions, it is only for the emergencies. Like, I’m surprised so many times, even the young, educated couple, they think that emergency pill can be used as a regular contraceptive pill, which is absolutely wrong. Secondly, I have seen couple with a positive pregnancy test, they think that taking an eye pill will resolve that unplanned pregnancy. So, both these thoughts are wrong.

Using unwanted pill or these eye pill can often mess up their period cycles. People will have disturbed cycles, heavy flow, short cycles. There could be some hormonal imbalance.

And again, these emergency pills would not prevent from STIs. The suggestion will be to avoid self-prescription of these emergency pills. Whenever you feel there is a condom breakage or you’ve missed using any kind of protection, go to a doctor, talk to a doctor, understand whether you’re suitable for any kind of contraceptive pills, especially emergency pill or any other emergency method at that point of time. Please do not self-prescribe these things. Now, there is another risk is that about the atopic pregnancies. Sometimes the pregnancy could be in the fallopian tube.

People would not check where it is and they just pop in the emergency pill, which could be even more riskier. 

(5:26) Sahiba: Absolutely, doctor. In fact, doctor, I’ve also heard reports from cities like Bengaluru, Pune and others, where young women have ended up with atopic pregnancies after using emergency pills, just like a regular birth control.

So, it can be life-threatening, isn’t it, doctor? 

(5:41) Dr. Preethika Shetty: Exactly. And these situations are preventable with basic awareness and going to doctor on the right time. 

(5:47) Sahiba: Doctor, I’m sure you have heard every kind of question in your clinic from the hesitant to the outright hilarious. Could you share some of the most common ones?

(5:57) Dr. Preethika Shetty: Yes. So, most of the time when we discuss or inform couple about the contraceptive options they have, it’s natural that they would get multiple questions. So, the common ones are like the girls who are taking pill are worried if they miss a pill on one day, what do they do? And if a female partner is not fit for any kind of contraceptive ways, we would suggest a male partner to undergo a vasectomy if it is a permanent sterilisation.

Then the male partner is worried about masculinity or they are worried about weight gain or they are worried about the side effects of the procedure. And many people want to take two contraceptive methods together for extra safety. And when we ask for them to go for an IUD, there’s a doubt whether that will cause any harm to them, whether they’ll get a weight gain or will it cause some infertility in future.

So, there are so many questions. So, as a gynaecologist, it is our job to sort out all their questions and make them understand what fits good for them. 

(6:57) Sahiba: That’s really interesting to know doctor. Now, if we were to make a quick guide, what are the main contraception options people should know about? 

(7:06)Dr. Preethika Shetty: Of course, there are multiple methods of contraceptives. The primarily being or the most commonly used is a barrier contraceptive, which could be a male condoms, female condoms or diaphragms. Again, I would like to repeat that these barrier contraceptives would prevent from sexually transmitted infections as well.

Then the second largest used are hormonal methods, which could be in the form of pills or skin patches, injections. There are some implants which we insert into the body. It could be an intrauterine device or some implants under the skin.

And the permanent methods being tubectomy, that is female sterilisation and vasectomy, which is for the men, especially for those couple who would want to complete their family and do not  want to plan a pregnancy again. 

(7:53) Sahiba:That’s a great summary doctor, but with so many options, how does someone know what’s best for them? 

(7:59) Dr. Preethika Shetty: So, it depends upon basically age of the girl, their health situation, lifestyle, preferences and then whether they have a previous pregnancy or not, if they are planning to have a pregnancy again. So, multiple factors are involved, their addictions like smoking, alcohol and if they have any other medical disorders.

So, multiple factors are considered here. Like in a nutshell, young women, we would suggest them to go for a barrier method or the contraceptive pills and if they are planning for a long term contraception, then IUCD should be the option. Now, millennial with the families, IUDs, implants, sterilisations, if they are not desiring for more children, men have an option to use condoms or vasectomy as a permanent option.

(8:44) Sahiba: That really helps to break it down doctor. It’s reassuring to know that there is no right method, just the right fit for each phase of life. Doctor, you mentioned IUDs. I have even heard that some women use hormonal IUDs to manage heavy periods. How does that work doctor? 

(9:02) Dr. Preethika Shetty: Yes. So, it’s a great question. IUD means it’s an intrauterine device. So, we have two types of devices. One is copper IUDs which are purely as a contraceptive method which will block the sperms entering into the fallopian tubes.

It will cause certain chemical reaction inside the uterine cavity. Hence, this acts as a contraceptive device where there are no hormones involved. Now, second type of IUDs are hormonal devices which would release low release of the progesterone hormones.

In a way, it helps in contraception. At the same time, because of these hormones, it will also prevent heavy flow during periods or it will help the patients who are having adenomyosis or any kind of abnormal uterine bleedings. So, for women with heavy flow, Mirena or these hormonal IUDs would help for the both ways.

(9:53) Sahiba: Interesting doctor and who would be a good candidate for an IUD? 

(9:57) Dr. Preethika Shetty: So, most women especially those who are looking for a long-term contraception and it is a one-time procedure. So, the maintenance is very less. But if someone already has any kind of pelvic infections or a large uterine fibroid or if there are undetected or untreated cervical issues, then we need to look for some other alternative.

(10:18) Sahiba: And are there any side effects women should be aware of and what kind of follow-ups are needed? 

(10:25) Dr. Preethika Shetty: Basically, once we put a copper device, if in case the women misses her periods, they should be aware that there are slight chances that pregnancy could happen and there could be something called as an ectopic pregnancy. So, missing a period, we should not assume that copper T is there. So, we should not be neglect on that.

So, the girl has to contact the doctor. Secondly, regular checkups are needed. Generally, every six monthly, we call them for the regular checkup and some girls might experience heavier periods or a cramping during their periods.

(10:58) Sahiba: I understood doctor. Now doctor, this is something we don’t talk about enough. Contraception is often viewed as solely a woman’s responsibility, while men are rarely expected to take equal ownership. Why do you think this perception exists and how can we shift the conversation towards shared responsibility? 

(11:17) Dr. Preethika Shetty: You’re right. It should not be only the woman’s responsibility to manage the contraception aspect. It should be a shared decision. But we are happy to see that many men are opening up on that. They do ask themselves about the options available, especially if the girl already has some medical issues or already has undergone multiple surgeries, then men do play a great role in this. So, they can use condoms effectively.

If needed, they can go for the vasectomy which is by the way very safe, quick and it does not affect them in any way, especially regarding their sexual drive or the sexual performances. So, we need to make more awareness about these procedures and we need to speak more on these contraceptive aspects of male as well. 

(12:03) Sahiba: Absolutely doctor.

It’s time we shift that mindset now. Alright doctor, it’s time for a rapid fire myth bursting round. Are you ready? 

(12:11) Dr. Preethika Shetty: Yes, I’m ready.

(12:12) Sahiba: Let’s start with myth 1. Contraceptives cause permanent infertility.

(12:17) Dr. Preethika Shetty: It’s a myth actually. Only permanent contraceptive methods would cause a permanent ability to plan for pregnancy. Other contraceptives would not cause any kind of permanent infertility. 

(12:29) Sahiba: Myth 2. Birth control pills cause weight gain. 

(12:33) Dr. Preethika Shetty: It is a myth again. Generally, these days, we are using very low dose birth control pills. Hence, they would not cause any kind of weight gain. In general, we need to focus more on our lifestyle regarding healthy diet and exercise to keep our weight in check.

(12:48) Sahiba: Myth 3. Vasectomy affects masculinity. 

(12:52) Dr. Preethika Shetty: It is a big myth actually. During vasectomy, it is just a structural ligation of one structure which has no role on the sexual hormones or the sexual drive or the sexual performances. So, it doesn’t affect any men’s masculinity. 

(13:06) Sahiba: Myth 4. Withdrawal is safe. 

(13:09) Dr. Preethika Shetty: It is a myth again. Only withdrawal method cannot be used as a contraceptive measure. There are at times some pre-fluid or the post-fluid which can have sperms in that. So, there are very good chances that a girl can get pregnant in spite of using the withdrawal method.

(13:24) Sahiba: Myth 5. Breastfeeding is a foolproof contraception. 

(13:29) Dr. Preethika Shetty: No, breastfeeding is not a foolproof contraception. A lady who is breastfeeding must use any other kind of protection to prevent from pregnancies because even if they do not get their periods during breastfeeding time, there are at times they do ovulate and girl can get pregnant.

(13:46) Sahiba: Myth 6. No contraception is needed during periods. 

(13:50) Dr. Preethika Shetty: So, it is a myth again. It is always better to use contraception during periods and not take a chance.

(13:57) Sahiba: Thank you so much, doctor. That was truly eye-opening. It’s amazing how common these myths are and even more important to clear them up. Moving on, doctor, do you think younger generations, Gen Z and millennials are more open to discussing contraception? 

(14:12) Dr. Preethika Shetty: Yes, they are. They want to know more about the options available as a contraception and it’s encouraging as well. But the challenge is they get a half-hearted information maybe from their friends or from reels or from influencers instead of doctors.

So, while social media raises awareness, it can spread half-information or misinformation as well. So, that’s why platforms like this podcast are so important and they should consult their doctor and understand the options available for them. 

(14:43) Sahiba: That’s such a great point to know, doctor. Before we wrap up, if there’s one thing you (14:48) want every listener to remember from this episode, what would that be? 

(14:52) Dr. Preethika Shetty: So, the main key point would be do not self-prescribe any method of contraception for you because contraception isn’t one size that fits everywhere. So, talk to your doctor, understand what works for you and then you can choose accordingly. And remember, this is about protecting your health and not only about avoiding pregnancy.

(15:13) Sahiba: Thank you so much, doctor, for sharing such valuable insights with us today. It was great conversing with you. 

(15:18) Dr. Preethika Shetty: Thank you so much.

(15:20) Sahiba: And to all our listeners, remember, contraception is more than just preventing pregnancy. It’s about choice, control and caring for your health. Don’t let myths guide your decisions and never experiment blindly.

Speak to your healthcare professional, get the right information and make informed choices that suit you. This was The Care Circle by Motherhood Hospitals, a special episode for World Contraception Day. Until next time, stay informed, stay safe and take care of yourself and your loved ones.