The pill, once a symbol of women's liberation in France, has seen a significant decline in popularity in recent years. In 2005, 55.8% of women aged 18 to 49 used the pill as their method of contraception, but by 2023, this number had dropped to 26.8%. This decline is part of a broader trend, with the intrauterine device (IUD) now being the most widely used method of contraception in France, at 27.7%.
According to gynaecologist Danielle Hassoun, the pill was initially seen as a tremendous liberation for women, allowing them to separate sexuality from motherhood and choose when or whether to have a child. However, with the range of contraceptive options now available, women are no longer willing to accept the side effects and constraints associated with the pill.
The decline in the pill's popularity can be attributed to a generational shift, with women who have grown up with the pill no longer seeing it as a liberating factor. Additionally, a crisis surrounding third- and fourth-generation contraceptive pills in 2012, which highlighted the increased risk of thrombosis, led to a sharp drop in use and fueled mistrust of hormonal contraception.
Recently, a new warning has been added to the debate, with the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety announcing that it would be sending a letter to users of desogestrel-based contraceptives to warn them of an increased risk of meningioma. While the absolute risk remains low, this warning has contributed to the growing mistrust of hormonal contraception.
Midwife Jennifer Saint-Martin Denys reports that since the latest warning, some women on hormonal contraception have come in saying they want to stop taking it. Patients are no longer interested in the pill, and many are seeking alternative methods of contraception.
Some women are now opting for more natural methods of contraception, such as tracking their cycle using an app and using condoms during fertile periods. Others are choosing to switch to IUDs or implants, which are seen as more convenient and effective.
The conversation around contraception is shifting, with discussions increasingly centered on wellbeing, mood, libido, and women's relationships with their bodies. Social media posts reflect a growing mistrust of hormonal contraception, with hashtags such as #pilleabsetzen and #hormonfrei becoming common in Germany.
Key points
- The pill's popularity in France has declined significantly, with only 26.8% of women aged 18-49 using it in 2023.
- The decline in the pill's popularity can be attributed to a generational shift and growing mistrust of hormonal contraception.
- Women are now seeking alternative methods of contraception, including IUDs, implants, and natural methods.
