In 1961, the contraceptive pill first came out in Australia. It was a huge deal. Massive. For the first time, women had control over their sexual and reproductive health. We had options and a sense of freedom that we had never experienced before.
We entered the workforce. We extended our education. We got degrees. We made money. The introduction of oral contraception was revolutionary.
It had a powerful impact on social and economic benefits for women, and has been hailed as one of the greatest scientific innovations of the 20th century.
Watch: Did you know there are different types of birth control pills? Here's some advice on how to find which one is right for you. Post continues below.
These days, around 922 million women of reproductive age (or their partners) are contraceptive users.
When taken correctly, the pill is more than 99 per cent effective at preventing pregnancy, and many women who take it enjoy positive side effects such as clearer skin, fewer PMS symptoms, regular periods and improved moods.
However, while we can't forget how groundbreaking it was or what it did for women, the pill isn't perfect. In fact, we're only now beginning to learn that it's far from it.
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