Women Are Sharing Horror Stories From Taking Contraceptive Pills On A Viral Twitter Thread Interview With Author
After 1960, when the contraceptive pill was first approved in the US by the FDA, it was still very controversial and illegal in eight states. Then, five years later, 6.5 million women were taking it daily as it became the most popular form of birth control. Fast forward to today, and many women could hardly imagine their lives without it, as CDC reports that 14% of women in the US aged 15-49 are currently using the pill. But at what cost?
20-year-old student Georgia Shaw from Leicestershire has recently shed light on the potential risks and side effects that come with the pill. In an honest Twitter post, she expressed her horror at the enormous size of the leaflet that came with the Rigevidon pill.
“Started a new pill today and wanted to show men on here what women have to go through so you don’t have to wear a bit of rubber,” Georgia tweeted in a thread that went viral, amassing 23.9k likes. More women joined the thread to share their experiences of taking the pill and the alarming side effects that they had to endure while on it, or after quitting it.
So let’s see the eye-opening thread right below, which will surely make us question how on earth nobody gives a second thought about such a high-risk birth control method.
20-year-old Georgia from Leicestershire has recently shared her horror at the enormous size of the warning leaflet that came with the Rivegidon contraceptive pills
Image credits: georgiaas00
Bored Panda reached out to Georgia, the author of this viral thread that opened up a much-needed discussion on the often overlooked side effects of taking contraceptive pills. Georgia believes that the fact that such a high-risk birth control method is normalized in our society is “down to systemic sexism.”
She added: “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.”
So she penned an honest Twitter post about the risks of the pill that many women found very relatable
Image credits: georgiaas00
When asked about her own experience of using the pill, the thread’s author said that “with Rigevidon, I’ve had some instances of mood swings, but for the most part, it’s been okay.” Fortunately, she feels fine and her “skin has actually cleared up,” while “the only side effect I’ve fully experienced is craving fatty foods.”
Image credits: georgiaas00
Image credits: georgiaas00
Image credits: georgiaas00
For men whose partner is on hormonal birth control, Georgia would like to ask to “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.”
The enormous leaflet contained a chilling number of potential side effects that came with using the pill
The thread’s author also said that she’s quite pessimistic about the future of birth control, specifically for men. “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.”
Georgia was wondering why it’s the women who have to go through all these potential risks without questioning
Image credits: georgiaas00
Image credits: georgiaas00
It’s no secret that many women who have used contraceptive pills or are currently taking them have experienced some sort of unwanted side effects. Of women aged 18 to 49 who choose to use contraceptives, there was a 4.5 per cent drop in those using the pill in 2015 compared to in 2008.
The decrease in the use of contraceptive pills is associated with many women coming forward about their negative experiences that often overshadow the positive ones. But the exact number of women who experience the pill’s side effects is still hard to pin down.
The author said the goal of her tweet was to let everyone know about the dangers of taking the pill
Image credits: georgiaas00
Nausea, sore breasts, and irregular bleeding typically occur “in the first three months,” usually settling after that time, says Jean Hailes for Women’s Health medical director Elizabeth Farrell.
More serious complications occur rarely, but they have been documented. These include an increased risk of blood clotting, a slight increase in breast cancer (1 in 50,000 additional cases), and increased stress on the liver.
If that wasn’t enough, a growing number of cases have suggested that the pill may be linked with mood swings, anxiety, and even depression in women who take the pill, but it still hasn’t been researched thoroughly.
Many women found the tweet very relatable as they shared their own alarmingly negative experiences of taking the pill
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And while it protects from an unwanted pregnancy, no contraceptive pill keeps you safe from STDs, which is, of course, a crucial point to consider when choosing a birth control method that works for you.
It’s also important to mention that although side effects are real, some women never experience any of them, and are very happy with the experience and the benefits of the pill.
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Others praised the author for bringing up this very important topic
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As a guy to all the women: if a man won't use a condom, because then "he doesn't feel anything", then he doesn't need sex, but he needs a doctor, because there is something wrong with his thingy. But most of the time it's just a power-thing: if he makes you give in to sex without a condom, he has power over you, and if you make him use a condom, he feels like you have power over him. Please remember that condoms not only protect against pregnancy, but also against STDs. If he won't use a condom, don't have sex with him.
@Rob is correct. If you can't feel it through a condom, you need a doctor. Am female, but please, practice safe and smart sex, and if someone says "no" to safety, say NO! to them. Peace.
Sorry to shatter the dream ----- I'ma girl. It's my nickname.
thanks for also being an awesome guy leo!
oh, sorry girl
thank you for being a great guy, rob. Have An awesome day, I hope that both sides of your pillow are always cool :)
O wow! If being a great guy just involves using a condom, then it's not only easy, but also fun to be a great guy! ;)
I don't think the male pill will ever catch on in a big way. Good men who are caring partners in long term relationships may take it, to save their partner having to. But men in shorter/newer relationships aren't going to have planned ahead 'just in case' they need it to avoid having to use a condom (and some are likely to lie that they are on it when they're not, to get what they want - something some women would do too of course, but with different motivation). The fact is, it will always be the woman who gets pregnant and has to deal with the decision on what to do and the consequences of that - whether it be having to go through an abortion, giving up a child you carried for 9 months, or raising a child for the next 18 years.
18 years? Rest up of your entire LIFE, more like. Children are not cute dolls or teddy bears for cuddling. Being responsible for an entire human being is a HUGE commitment.
You *can* use the word 'penis', you know :)
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Many women take birth control so they don't have to rely on their partners to get the birth control right. If the condom breaks, she gets pregnant. But that doesn't happen if she's on birth control. Also, it is okay for men to say that they prefer sex without a condom. It isn't forcing the woman to take birth control. It's literally saying "If you are going to take birth control anyway, could I have sex without a condom because it feels nice". It's just a request, not a requirement.
@Luke not with all men.. Yes its fine for them to say they prefer it but there is a big difference between voicing their preference and guilt tripping. Also with men like that (the guilt trip ones) they don't care if you're on birth control already or not. It's about them in their mind. Then you have the men who make it a "requirement" in a relationship- either she doesn't love him or doesn't want him to enjoy himself or he can't have kids. The lame excuses go on and on. Those are the men being referred to. Not people in a mutual emotionally balanced relationship that respect each other's wishes about sex.
Yes, I'm sure it feels "better" without a condom but remember there are a lot of other reasons to wear a condominium besides birth control...STD's...
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This comment has been deleted.
I guess you're the type that says "I can't wear a mask, because it doesn't allow me to breathe.". Stop whining. Use a condom.
Consider the fact that your penis is way more sensitive than a gloved hand and don't compare apples to oranges, please. Thank you on behalf of all medical personnel of any kind, anywhere, ever. BTW, you can get STDs in a long-term relationship. It's called "they lied/cheated".
It would make more sense to remove the bullets from the gun instead of shoot at a bulletproof vest (if ya know what I mean)
The worst part is that there have been trials for hormonal contraception for men and they were canceled for their side effects. Which as exactly the same as the ones women experience. But its ok if women risk their wellbeing to not get pregnant but apparently asking men to do the same is too much.
Yes. Well, it is a known fact that women and their well being is less important than men. /s
Yep. I've very recently read, in the last week, about a trial by the University of Edinburgh, UK about a male contraceptive.
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It is well known that it wouldn't be hard to make an effective male contraceptive pill, but as there is perceived to be very little market for it the financial incentive just isn't there.
To "remove the bullets from guns" you have to trust another person. Wearing a "bulletproof vest" means you only have to trust yourself.
This comment has been deleted.
The vaccines that we have for Covid-19 did not take a few months to "whack up." The research for mRNA vaccines began decades ago.
THANK YOU! Medical research on mRNA vaccines was begun after the first SARS outbreak and has been in the works for much longer than that. We got dumb lucky we had coronavirus-relative-mRNA-vaccine research at all. (Note: Got my MD, did research, now advocacy for patients)
Exactly... Plus, vaccines against sars And mers already exists, And this new coronavirus Is very similar to them, so it's not like they started from scratch...
As a guy to all the women: if a man won't use a condom, because then "he doesn't feel anything", then he doesn't need sex, but he needs a doctor, because there is something wrong with his thingy. But most of the time it's just a power-thing: if he makes you give in to sex without a condom, he has power over you, and if you make him use a condom, he feels like you have power over him. Please remember that condoms not only protect against pregnancy, but also against STDs. If he won't use a condom, don't have sex with him.
@Rob is correct. If you can't feel it through a condom, you need a doctor. Am female, but please, practice safe and smart sex, and if someone says "no" to safety, say NO! to them. Peace.
Sorry to shatter the dream ----- I'ma girl. It's my nickname.
thanks for also being an awesome guy leo!
oh, sorry girl
thank you for being a great guy, rob. Have An awesome day, I hope that both sides of your pillow are always cool :)
O wow! If being a great guy just involves using a condom, then it's not only easy, but also fun to be a great guy! ;)
I don't think the male pill will ever catch on in a big way. Good men who are caring partners in long term relationships may take it, to save their partner having to. But men in shorter/newer relationships aren't going to have planned ahead 'just in case' they need it to avoid having to use a condom (and some are likely to lie that they are on it when they're not, to get what they want - something some women would do too of course, but with different motivation). The fact is, it will always be the woman who gets pregnant and has to deal with the decision on what to do and the consequences of that - whether it be having to go through an abortion, giving up a child you carried for 9 months, or raising a child for the next 18 years.
18 years? Rest up of your entire LIFE, more like. Children are not cute dolls or teddy bears for cuddling. Being responsible for an entire human being is a HUGE commitment.
You *can* use the word 'penis', you know :)
This comment has been deleted.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Many women take birth control so they don't have to rely on their partners to get the birth control right. If the condom breaks, she gets pregnant. But that doesn't happen if she's on birth control. Also, it is okay for men to say that they prefer sex without a condom. It isn't forcing the woman to take birth control. It's literally saying "If you are going to take birth control anyway, could I have sex without a condom because it feels nice". It's just a request, not a requirement.
@Luke not with all men.. Yes its fine for them to say they prefer it but there is a big difference between voicing their preference and guilt tripping. Also with men like that (the guilt trip ones) they don't care if you're on birth control already or not. It's about them in their mind. Then you have the men who make it a "requirement" in a relationship- either she doesn't love him or doesn't want him to enjoy himself or he can't have kids. The lame excuses go on and on. Those are the men being referred to. Not people in a mutual emotionally balanced relationship that respect each other's wishes about sex.
Yes, I'm sure it feels "better" without a condom but remember there are a lot of other reasons to wear a condominium besides birth control...STD's...
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
This comment has been deleted.
I guess you're the type that says "I can't wear a mask, because it doesn't allow me to breathe.". Stop whining. Use a condom.
Consider the fact that your penis is way more sensitive than a gloved hand and don't compare apples to oranges, please. Thank you on behalf of all medical personnel of any kind, anywhere, ever. BTW, you can get STDs in a long-term relationship. It's called "they lied/cheated".
It would make more sense to remove the bullets from the gun instead of shoot at a bulletproof vest (if ya know what I mean)
The worst part is that there have been trials for hormonal contraception for men and they were canceled for their side effects. Which as exactly the same as the ones women experience. But its ok if women risk their wellbeing to not get pregnant but apparently asking men to do the same is too much.
Yes. Well, it is a known fact that women and their well being is less important than men. /s
Yep. I've very recently read, in the last week, about a trial by the University of Edinburgh, UK about a male contraceptive.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
It is well known that it wouldn't be hard to make an effective male contraceptive pill, but as there is perceived to be very little market for it the financial incentive just isn't there.
To "remove the bullets from guns" you have to trust another person. Wearing a "bulletproof vest" means you only have to trust yourself.
This comment has been deleted.
The vaccines that we have for Covid-19 did not take a few months to "whack up." The research for mRNA vaccines began decades ago.
THANK YOU! Medical research on mRNA vaccines was begun after the first SARS outbreak and has been in the works for much longer than that. We got dumb lucky we had coronavirus-relative-mRNA-vaccine research at all. (Note: Got my MD, did research, now advocacy for patients)
Exactly... Plus, vaccines against sars And mers already exists, And this new coronavirus Is very similar to them, so it's not like they started from scratch...