Selects: How The Pill Changed the World

# Stuff You Should Know – The Birth Control Pill Episode

Josh and Chuck dive deep into the fascinating and complicated history of the birth control pill, from Margaret Sanger's early vision of a "magic pill" in 1912 through its revolutionary FDA approval in 1961. They explore how the pill went from a controversial pharmaceutical breakthrough to a cultural icon, then became a flashpoint for informed consent and women's rights during pivotal 1970 Senate hearings. Beyond the history, the hosts break down the science of how the pill actually works—essentially tricking your body into thinking it's already released an egg—and discuss the various formulations available today, their side effects, and the ongoing debate about whether menstruation is even necessary.