Chapter 1: The Curious Case of Placebo Pills

In my earlier days of using hormonal birth control, I would humorously offer my cat the sugar or placebo pills from the fourth week of my pack. This was back when manufacturers didn’t even think to include vitamins in those pills. Nowadays, many women simply skip these sugar pills and mark their calendars discreetly to indicate when to begin the next pack.

Interestingly, Planned Parenthood states that it’s not necessary to wait a week before starting the next cycle of pills. This means that while you may not experience a period, some light spotting could occur. (Note: Always consult your healthcare provider before altering your hormonal regimen.)

But why are sugar pills even part of the package if they serve no therapeutic purpose? And, for the love of white pants and summer vacations, why did women endure unnecessary periods for so long?

The explanation for this phenomenon is deeply intertwined with religious beliefs.

For centuries, women have sought to free their intimate lives from the constraints imposed by the Catholic Church. In the fourth century, St. Augustine argued that it was sinful for married couples to avoid conception. He insisted that sex should only serve the purpose of procreation, condemning any enjoyment of the act as immoral. It’s ironic that his perspective stemmed from a rather wild youth, yet he later imposed guilt on others for indulging in sexual pleasure.

If we view religion as "the opiate of the masses," then shame serves as its enforcer.

During the Middle Ages, sexual norms grew increasingly complex. On one hand, people believed that celibacy could lead to physical ailments, suggesting that sexual activity was necessary for health. Conversely, as venereal diseases spread, sexual indulgence became synonymous with sin. This led to an odd silence from the Church regarding contraception.

In 1588, Pope Sixtus V issued a papal bull known as "Effraenatam," which deemed any form of contraception as equivalent to homicide. This declaration framed the act of preventing sperm from reaching an egg as murder—remarkably, this was long before sperm were even discovered. The bull also led to the persecution of midwives as witches for practicing contraception, effectively punishing women instead of the male seed.

It’s crucial to understand that simple denial could also prevent pregnancy—historically, many wives faced coercion from their husbands, while the Church largely ignored the violence that ensued.

Even more alarming, doctors once believed that a woman had to experience orgasm to conceive. Therefore, if a woman became pregnant from rape, it was assumed she had enjoyed the encounter, thus invalidating her trauma.

The attitudes surrounding conception began to shift during the Enlightenment, as Europe faced a population boom, and the focus shifted from "be fruitful and multiply" to "save money, not babies." Surprisingly, the Church once again chose to remain silent on the matter of contraception.

By the time the Victorian era rolled around, the Catholic Church was too embarrassed to openly discuss issues of fornication.

In 1930, Pope Pius XI released the encyclical "Casti Connubii," which defined any sexual act not aimed at procreation as sinful. A surge of sinful activity followed as people sought pleasure outside of the Church's guidelines.

However, by 1951, the Church recognized that its strict stance on contraception could drive away followers. To accommodate its practitioners, they endorsed the rhythm method—an approach that proved to be only 75% effective.

When the birth control pill was introduced in the 1960s, women rejoiced. Dr. John Rock, a gynecologist, understood that for the Church to accept the pill as a natural method akin to the rhythm method, he needed a clever marketing strategy. The inclusion of sugar pills allowed women to still experience the monthly bleeding that had been historically associated with femininity.

It’s important to note that this monthly bleeding, while reminiscent of a period, is actually withdrawal bleeding. This type of bleeding is typically lighter and shorter than a natural menstruation cycle. Dr. Rock’s assumption was that if women's cycles adhered to the traditional four-week format, the Catholic Church would eventually endorse the pill.

But how did the Church react to Rock's initiative?

In a typical reversal, Pope Paul VI issued "Humanae Vitae" in 1968, which condemned hormonal birth control and all forms of contraception except for abstinence.

By the time the Church denounced the pill, manufacturers had already integrated placebo pills into their products, and women had grown accustomed to their presence. Birth control producers seemed indifferent to the fact that women were enduring unnecessary monthly bleeding.

The Church's main concern remained: preventing pregnancy. If a marital union was deemed unconsummated, it could warrant an annulment, and one could also divorce an impotent spouse. This raises questions about the integrity of vows made in sickness and in health.

Today, while the Catholic Church is somewhat more lenient towards contraception, it officially maintains its prohibition. The Church might attract more young members if it offered women greater autonomy over their bodies. Ironically, this very issue appears to foster a deep loyalty among existing followers.

Historically, the Church has argued that contraception promotes promiscuity. Recently, conservative figures have echoed this sentiment, with some labeling contraception a "fast road to hell" and deeming "Humanae Vitae" as prophetic. Yet, research suggests otherwise. A study involving 9,256 women in St. Louis revealed that access to free contraception actually reduced the number of sexual partners.

The Catholic Church has not only obstructed women's reproductive rights but has also hindered healthcare initiatives. In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI spoke out against distributing condoms to combat AIDS, contradicting findings in infectious disease research that demonstrated free condom distribution significantly lowered infection rates.

Debates about contraception remain contentious, with far-right conservatives aiming to overturn Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)—the landmark case that legalized contraception.

Catholic and evangelical groups continue to propagate shame to regulate women's bodies. This tactic may have resonated in a devout medieval society, but in today's context, it mirrors the same superstitions that led to the persecution of countless women.

Chapter 2: The Evolution of Contraceptive Practices

Video Title: The Real Reason Birth Control Has Placebo Pills - Cheddar Explains

In this engaging video, Cheddar delves into the historical context and the unscientific reasons behind the inclusion of sugar pills in hormonal birth control. The discussion highlights the intersection of religion, societal norms, and the evolution of women's reproductive rights over the centuries.