Is the pill in the corner of neglect?
In the past, we used to rely on the pill (no pimples, no babies), nowadays young women are massively opting for an IUD.
The insertion pain (if you've never given birth, getting an IUD is much more painful than for the mothers among us) apparently pales in comparison to the disadvantages of the pill. Because there are disadvantages. Weight gain, sensitive breasts, mood swings, headaches, just to name a few. Moreover, using the pill in combination with drinking wine (or other alcohol of course, not that you think you're safe with tequila) is strongly discouraged, and researchers have discovered that with long-term use of the pill, the risk of breast cancer is up to 20 percent higher.
All aboard the IUD
Ask an average 18-year-old in a relationship what they use as contraception and the answer will be: an IUD. Many believe the anti-pill trend on TikTok is the cause. But is it that bad? The pill has quite a few negative consequences. Moreover: with the pill, there is a risk of forgetting to take it (I once took three in a row after a sleepover where I forgot my toiletry bag) and that IUD does its job nicely. For five, six to eight years. A lot cheaper too, and you don't have the responsibility of timely reordering a new strip of pills every time.
Another wonderful advantage of the IUD: your menstruation almost completely disappears.
So I completely understand that trend.
Still, I want to make two important points as an oldie to the younger generation. An IUD does not protect you against STIs. So if your flame is moving towards commitment, make sure you both get tested for any sexually transmitted diseases. Then you can swim freely, so to speak.
And point two: the responsibility for preventing pregnancy lies entirely with women. From arranging contraception to paying for it, and not to mention the physical and psychological complaints. So that male pill, from an emancipatory perspective, it would be time for it to be further developed. A case of pleasures AND burdens. There.
