Taking 'the pill' is a common practice among young women these days. But for how long? Studies show that the amount of women who take oral contraceptives is declining for one very good reason: They're afraid it will cause them to gain weight. But is this a legitimate concern, or is it just an urban myth?

Chalk this one up to idle gossip, according to this article from The Telegraph. Scottish Professor Anna Glasier said: "We need to emphasize that [oral contraceptives] don't impair fertility, and the majority of them don't affect weight." All the same, many women do report weight gain and other changes when they go on the pill, but this is more likely due to lifestyle changes, according to Dietitian Juliette Kellow.

Sorry girls, guess you can't blame that extra love handle on the pill -- time to get to the gym.

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As both men and women age, a decrease in bone density typically occurs. Strength training and a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D can help slow down this process, but nothing can prevent it entirely. Making matters worse for women, according to an article in Women's Health magazine, is the use of oral contraceptives.

Citing a study published in the journal Osteoporosis International, the article points out the potential link between the Pill and a lower degree of bone mineral density. Based on the study, study subjects who had been on birth control pills for an average of 3.5 years had three percent less bone density at the spine and two percent less at the hips.

Researchers aren't sure what causes the Pill to have this effect, but they stress the importance of getting at least 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day and following a resistance training exercise program to help keep bones strong.

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A middle school in Portland, Maine has reignited a debate by deciding this week to provide prescription birth control to children without needing their parents consent. Yes, you read right ... middle school. And, in case you forgot (or don't have children,) that's kids that range in age from 11 to 13.

Without being too blunt (and trying to bite my tongue), birth control in middle school is "insane," it frightens me to think that we can't teach our children more about sex (and self-esteem) than just to offer them a pill or patch so that they won't get pregnant. And, while I understand that children 13 years old are beginning to experiment (which in itself is scary), I just can't help but worry about children 11 years old thinking about using birth control. That is just so, so very young.

Not to mention that the pill and birth control patch don't protect children (or adults for the matter) from sexually transmitted diseases ... has anyone even put any thought into the fact that the pill and patch are hormones, should children this young be taking hormones? Are there any future consequences such as cancer or stroke for these young girls? Have enough studies been done? And what 11 year old do you know that will even be responsible enough to take it daily on a regular schedule, which needs to be done for it to even be effective?

What prompted this: Evidently, an outbreak of pregnancies among the middle school girls (17 to be exact ... not including miscarriages and terminated pregnancies) is what prompted the education officials to decide to allow a school health center to make the birth control pills and patch available. I must admit that 17 pregnancies is more than a lot in one school -- so clearly something needed to be done. However, that said, I don't think offering the pill or the patch was the best solution.

The Portland School Committee voted 7-2 for the measure. Obviously, I'm only one opinion ... how would you have voted?

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For those who take it on a regular basis, and who remember to take it every day at the same time, the pill is a pretty effective form of contraception. It's not for everyone though, so those who are thinking of going on the pill should take a look at this article, which discusses some of the pros and cons of the oral contraceptive.

Some of the more well-known pros include clearer skin, lighter periods and less severe or no cramps. One of the major cons that I've heard women talk about is the extra weight gain associated with taking the pill. However, I've also heard that no one should gain more than a few pounds, if any. Also, the pill protects again some forms of cancer, like ovarian and endometrial cancer, but may increase the risk of breast, cervical and liver cancer. Also, smokers, especially those over age 35, who take the pill are at risk of developing life threatening blood clots.

So that's the good and the bad, but what about the stuff they don't tell you? A women quoted in the article insists that she noticed an increase in her sex drive when she quit taking the contraceptive, but admits it could be due to a number of factors. I know a women who insists that her curly hair went completely straight when she went on the pill and another who says that for the first week she starting taking the contraceptive, her emotions went wild.

As usual, the best way to find out if the pill is right for you is to do some research, talk to your doctor and make sure to ask lots of questions and ensure any concerns you have are addressed before you make your choice.

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According to one of the largest studies ever conducted, women who take the Pill dramatically lower their risk of developing cancer later in life.

Those women who took the Pill for less than 8 years saw a 12 percent decrease in their cancer risk. (Though it's worth noting that for the small percentage of women that took the pill for more than 8 years, their cancer risk actually increased.)

Subsequently, even though the Pill only reduces the risk of certain types of the disease -- such as bowel, rectal, uterine and ovarian cancers -- researchers still concluded that these cancer benefits far outweigh any potential health risks of oral contraceptives.

Good news for the more than 300 million women who have used the Pill since it was first introduced in the early 1960s.

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Many women take oral contraceptives without questioning the science behind it. But as with any medication, it's a good idea to do your own research, instead of having blind faith in your doctors. So if you're on the pill, here are some surprising facts that you should know.

For example, did you know:

• That if you're overweight, the pill might not work as well for you?
• That certain drugs, such as nyquil, can interfere with the pill's effectiveness?
• That the FDA recently approved a pill that will eliminate your period while you're on it?
• That the pill may cause you to gain a couple of pounds, but not more?
• That you can safely miss one pill, but not two?

A few of these are news to me. How about you?

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Women taking birth control pills may need to keep an eye on their calcium intake, as researchers have discovered that oral contraceptives can decrease bone density. This is especially problematic, because the time during which it's most effective for women to optimize bone mass is adolescence and young adulthood -- a time when women are most-likely to use birth control.

It's feared that a decrease in bone density during these years can lead to osteoporosis later in life.

Subsequently, it's important that women who are using birth control -- especially those under 18 -- meet or exceeding the Recommended Daily Allowance for calcium. (The RDA for women age 9-18 is 1,300 milligrams a day, and is 1,000 milligrams a day for women age 19-50.)

Some calcium-rich foods that you might try include: milk (300 mg of calcium in 1 cup), yogurt (150-200 mg in 1 cup), pinto beans (140 mg in 1 cup) and almonds (80 mg in 1 cup).

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