My wife’s scary birth control story is this: it didn’t work. She ended up getting pregnant on the pill. Fast forward to a year later and we have a little son who’s pretty awesome. At the time, I was pissed, horrified, and feeling kinda betrayed (don’t trust Generess FE, people!) but now that I look back at it and I wake up to this little dude slapping me in the face, I’m glad it happened.
That doesn’t change the fact that the damn thing didn’t work, and the only reason my wife decided to try a new pill is that her previous one was giving her some nasty side effects: bloating, stomach pain, and all around hormonal imbalances. Not good.
But it turns out that the side effects of taking birth control pills vary from woman to woman, and that some of them are really terrible. And women are sharing their stories online of the crap they have to put up with when they’re on the pill.
It all started when journalist Holly Brockwell posted a response to people who urged her to take birth control pills in lieu of having her tubes tied.
Alright I’m done with men telling me to take the pill pic.twitter.com/eFgCX9JjvO
— Holly Brockwell (@holly) March 31, 2016
Another journalist, Kate Bevan, then started a #MyPillStories hashtag in support of Brockwell and women who were prescribed the wrong birth control pills.
“Take this pill so you don’t have to worry about sex*”
*because you won’t want it anymore #MyPillStory https://t.co/zKbH4Nx2Up— Holly Brockwell (@holly) March 31, 2016
Pill horror stories began pouring in.
Headaches, severe mood swings, nausea, vomiting and the autoimmune issues I have were all gifted to me from hormonal bc. #mypillstory
— Haley Stewart (@HaleyCarrots) April 4, 2016
Women were reporting mood swings, bouts of depression and lethargy, headaches, and in some cases, even thoughts of suicide.
It made me lose my mind. I wasn’t myself. Suicidal and scared. Seems I’m not alone. #mypillstory is amazing, thanks @holly
— ilona burton (@ilonacatherine) March 31, 2016
@Litwerally I don’t recognise the person I was when on hormonal contraception. Over-emotional and angry/depressed. #mypillstory
— Rachel Thomas (@halohoney) March 31, 2016
Not all of the pill stories focused on negative side effects, women online acknowledged the pill’s importance.
#MyPillStory Side effects & all, I’m extremely grateful for the pill & the wonderful Planned Parenthood that helped me control my life.
— Brainy McSawface (@cncrenshaw) March 31, 2016
And that it’s a great option – it just isn’t for everyone.
And effectiveness.
#mypillstory Took it for 30 years, no problems, no unwanted babies. It may not work for all but it transformed millions of women’s lives.
— Fenella lewin (@Flanjamin) April 1, 2016
And the end of the day, it really depends on the person.
So if ur reading #mypillstory & are worried abt taking contraception bc of it – remember, u might be fine. There’s no universal experience
— Liv Woodward (@oawoodward) April 1, 2016
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