More research into the side effects of contraception needs to be carried out, says Davina McCall (Picture: Getty)
More research needs to be done into the side effects of contraceptive pills as more than three quarters of women report side effects, a new documentary has claimed.
A survey of 4,000 women for the documentary Pill Revolution, led by Davina McCall, found 77% experienced side effects including headaches, depression, and lowered mood and sex drive.
A third of those women stopped taking contraceptive pills as a result of the side effects.
The documentary is calling for a ‘contraception revolution’ as there is a ‘massive black hole’ in research into the pill’s side effects, The Telegraph reports.
There were 20 to 25 industry-funded clinical trials between 2017 and 2020, the majority focused on incremental revisions to existing hormonal products.
In comparison, in 2019 there were about 3,100 trials for cancer drugs, 600 for cardiovascular medication and 140 for treatments for eye disorders, according to ClinicalTrials.gov, a global database.
Pharmaceutical companies are estimated to spend only 2% of their revenue on research and development for contraception, compared with about 20% on new products.
Davina, who has previously campaigned for more support for menopausal women, even had a contraceptive coil fitted on camera to help demystify the process.
Davina McCall is calling for a ‘contraceptive revolution’ (Picture: Tom Barnes/Channel 4)
Half of the survey’s respondents said they were concerned about the potential pain involved in having it fitted.
She said: ‘Sadly, there is so little research done into women’s health, and it means that we’re scrabbling around for science-based evidence to do with contraception.
‘It makes me angry because [women] deserve better. Better research. Better knowledge. Better quality of care. More funding.
‘And why should we compromise our quality of life to prevent pregnancy? This is a conversation we have to have.
‘I’m not saying the hormonal coil is the holy grail and it won’t be right for everyone.
‘But for me, ten minutes of discomfort is a small price to pay for five years of no periods and the convenience of not having to remember to take something every day.’
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During the documentary Health Minister Maria Caulfield responded to criticism that pressure could be applied to academics and companies to do more research on contraceptive pills.
She said there had been a £25 million government investment in centres to offer better access to care for menstrual problems, contraception, pelvic pain and menopause issues.
Ms Caulfield added: ‘We need to enable healthcare professionals to have that time and space, so it isn’t a five-minute consultation.
‘That’s exactly why we want the women’s health hubs to be set up, so that we have got healthcare professionals with experience in women’s health, and that it is more than a packet of contraceptive pills.
‘It’s about looking at that woman as a whole.’
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‘It makes me angry because [women] deserve better. Better research. Better knowledge. Better quality of care. More funding. ‘