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The female contraceptive pill is used worldwide, but not everyone is aware of its side effects. In 1960, the pill got approved in the USA by the FDA but women were still reluctant to use it as it was a very controversial medicine. The controversy was to an extent that it was still illegal in 8 states. However, soon after 5 years, women started using the pill as they could not find any better choice. This was 6.5 million women consuming the pill on a daily basis. Even today, CDC reports show that 14% of women whose ages range from 15-49 still use the pill every day. However, are they really aware of the risks they are taking when they consume the pill?
Georgia Shaw from Leicestershire is a 20-year-old student who recently tweeted some horrific things about the female contraceptive pill and it has opened the eyes of many people. She purchased the Rigevidon pill and was given a huge list of side effects that she may face if she uses the pill. She tweeted the picture of a list of the side-effects and it went viral immediately.
Georgia had an interview with BoredPanda and they discussed the roots of using this pill in the first place. Georgia explained that it all comes down to systematic sexism, which is why society has no problem with women using it.
“Women always being the ones who look after the children whilst the man goes out to work, I think it stems from societal ideas of gender roles and has just never changed, even in a time where women in western society have more equality than ever.”
She explained her own experience with the pill, “with Rigevidon, I’ve had some instances of mood swings, but for the most part, it’s been okay.” But now, thankfully, “skin has actually cleared up,” and “the only side effect I’ve fully experienced is craving fatty foods.”
Georgia asks men whose partners are on the pill to care for them and “give them time and understanding and just to go the extra mile to make sure they’re feeling okay.”
“It means a lot to us when a man is accommodating and understanding of what we go through. They also should make sure they’re educating themselves on the side effects and risks, looking out for signs of stroke and blood clots in their partners as there’s a relatively high risk of us having one on hormonal birth control.”
“I’d love to see a male contraceptive brought to the market, but I doubt it will happen. For me, education is the most promising way and hopefully, boys in school can start to be taught about female sex education as well as male sex education and from that, attitudes and understanding will change, as many men in the replies to my tweet had no idea it isn’t just used as a contraceptive.”
Risk of blood clotting, a slight increase in breast cancer (1 in 50,000 additional cases), and increased stress on the liver, nausea, sore breasts, and irregular bleeding are just some of the side effects.
Have you ever taken the pill? How did it make you feel? Share your experiences with us in the comments below.
