Katy's Corner: The Pill (a short history)
On this day in history, May 9 1960, the FDA in the United States approves the use of oral contraception aka the Birth Control Pill, which later just became known as THE pill.
This story goes way further back than we can really detail because since the beginning of time people have been trying to have sex and not get pregnant. So why did it take this long for us to get the science up to speed? In this episode we'll talk about the Comstock Laws, Margaret Sanger, the super problematic Puerto Rico trials and so much more.
Also, I am no in love with this Loretta Lynn song
(Note: I planned to release this on May 9th, but according to research Fridays are low for podcast listening, so bumping it a couple of days early)
Time stamps:
00:00 Introduction and Personal Story
03:28 Historical Methods of Contraception
06:47 Margaret Sanger and the Birth Control Movement
20:33 The Development and Problematic Trials
31:08 Legal and Social Impact of the Pill
35:21 Conclusion and Cultural Reflection
Sources
NPR: How The Approval of the Birth Control Pill Changed Lives
The Planned Parenthood website
Our Bodies Ourselves
PBS: Puerto Rico Pill Trials
Margaret Sanger's Wikipedia page was also super helpful
Comments (2)
A happy side effect of the pill was it worked wonders clearing up severe acne. I had full blown severe acne on my face and back and was prescribed birth control pills. My conservative Christian mom was not having it ! So in 1981 I was a freshman in college and found out the student health center would happily provide me with “the pill” for my acne. Best decision ever !!
That's awesome! The pill made my acne worse, but was better than a baby 🤣 so funny how everyone's body is different