The pill, Mexico's contribution to the world and women's rights

• April 20, 2024

For more than half a century, women have had access to a pill discovered in the 1950s in the 20th century, which revolutionized the sexual life of millions of people around the world. The Hungarian researcher George Rosenkrantz, the American chemist Carl Djerassi and the young Mexican Luis Miramontes, a chemist from UNAM, contributed to the discovery of the pill contraceptive .

Luis Miramontes achieved the synthesis of norethisterone, an anti-ovulatory agent that became the active ingredient of the contraceptive pill. This discovery had an impact that transformed the field of biology and sexual and reproductive health to make possible the feminine liberalization.

In 1961, it was presented in England to women who were married. Currently there are more than 100 million women who take it around the world, according to data from the BBC. In 2005, the Mexican Academy of Sciences, named the pill as the most important Mexican contribution of the 20th century to world science.

The chemical engineer, Luis Miramontes Cárdenas is currently on the list of USA Inventors Hall of Fame, along with personalities of the likes of Louis Pasteur, Thomas Alva Edison and Alexander Graham Bell.

The pill and your right to reproductive health

The definition of reproductive health adopted at the International Conference on Population and Development of the World Health Organization, specifies that sexual health is not limited only to the reproductive period of a person but to various sociocultural factors, particular functions of each sex , respect and protection of human rights related to sexuality and interpersonal relationships.

"It entails the ability to enjoy a satisfying sexual life without the risk of procreating, and the freedom to decide whether or not to do it, when and how often," says the ICPD Program of Action. This document implies the right to family planning using safe, effective contraceptive methods, as well as the right to receive adequate care services.

The National Center for Gender Equity and Reproductive Health gives us some information about taking the contraceptive pill:

-It is an effective method and without delay.

Take the pill daily and start new ones on time to avoid decreasing the effectiveness.

-You can use it at any age, you have had children or not.

- Bleeding or dripping may occur between periods especially at the beginning, but it is not harmful. It is regularized in a while.

-At first you may have headaches, changes in your weight or upset stomach that will later disappear.

-Prevents menstrual cramps, heavy bleeding, anemia and other medical conditions.

-It is safe for all women, rarely causes discomfort.

For more information do not hesitate to visit the page that puts at your disposal the National Center for Gender Equity and Reproductive Health: //www.generoysaludreproductiva.salud.gob.mx/modules/events/event_00 ...

What do you think about family planning? Is it in your hands to control the number of daughters and sons you want to have?

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