In one of the most personal and serious episodes to date, I discuss my experience and research regarding hormonal birth control, specifically for kids and teens. I am not a doctor or medical professional, nor am I claiming to have all of the answers in this nuanced and ongoing conversation, but I believe that it is every person's right to understand and participate in the decisions that are made regarding their medical situation, including young women and people who rely on feminine healthcare. Kids as young as twelve are being put on the pill, often for no real reason, and with no education on its adverse effects.
After being put on birth control at the age of fourteen, I experienced depression, acne, painful cramps, and other hormonal imbalances, but was repeatedly told that it was not my choice to go off of it, which is an experience that I don't wish upon anyone else. After going off the pill at the age of twenty-one, I was finally able to take control of my own body and my own happiness.
All of the facts mentioned in this episode have been extensively researched through credible sources.
Resources:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2552796
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-hormonal-birth-control-trigger-depression-2016101710514
https://www.healthline.com/health/birth-control-effects-on-body#1
