The contraceptive pill came out in 1960s but only became available to single women in 1974 and that, as we all know, heralded a revolution. It’s regularly heralded as the best invention of the 20thcentury and I for one cannot argue that it changed everything. (Although washing machine, microwave, mobile phone, the internet – are all up there too).
Since then, 200 million women cannot be wrong and the pill has been my preferred method of contraception (working in tandem with condoms of course for absolute safe sex) since my teens. This has all changed as doctors started to strongly suggest (advise) that the pill is not safe as we hurtle past our mid-30s (where has the decade gone?!) They say to switch to another method by aged 35 as there is an increased chance of strokes, heart attacks, blood clots and also breast and cervical cancer although thankfully latest reports say the latter is less so now. It’s not all doom and gloom though as reports say being on the pill lowers our chance of getting ovarian cancer too.
After months of negotiating (begging) with my GP to let me stay on the same pill arguing that I’ve had no issues, we don’t have family history of any of the illnesses and I’m loath to change as the pill has kept my periods at a lovely (if you can describe a period thus) light level, I struck a deal with my GP; firstly, undertake a series of tests where they check everything from chance of heart attack (1.6%) to cholesterol (none) and I am once again deemed to have perfect health. So they convince me to change from the combined to a progestogen-only pill and try it for six months.
So I am. Despite having to take it EVERY SINGLE DAY rather than have the 7 day gap for the period (sorry if there any queasy blokes reading this) there is one huge advantage. For many women, there are no periods. Nothing. That’s the end of that. Thus saving a few £££s in sanitary products every month too.
Now why didn’t they tell me that a year ago?
PS Ladies, remember you are entitled to free condoms too so do be sure to collect when you go in for your 6 monthly check-ups!
As published by The London Look
Keep in touch on Twitter @RickieWrites
I went on the Pill just before getting married and then for a little time after but it made me so horrible to be around – I’d explode into tears at the tiniest thing, I’d get ranty and shout lots (yeah so not me!). The first lot I was on gave me really bad headaches (which the GP said wasn’t related to the pill and I should make sure that I’ve drank enough water etc. etc.). The second lot made me moody.
So yeah not had a good experience with the pill but each to their own. I love the idea of no periods but at the same time it would probably worry me whether things were still in working order (like if and when the time comes for kids am I going to be able to conceive?)
Anyhoo! Enough TMI!
That’s the worry, so many people have issues with it and I never did so reluctant to change. Now I get spots all the time with the new version – ridiculous at my age!