Health

Here's Why Young Women Are Turning Against The Pill

A tragic incident unfolded when Ayla Khan, a 16-year-old college student from the UK, succumbed to a severe medical complication only 10 days after starting the birth control pill. Her premature death became a viral story that sparked yet another conversation about the many dangers of a popular pharmaceutical that is being handed out to teens and adult women at rapid rates.

By Gina Florio5 min read
Pexels/Maksim Goncharenok

Ayla started taking the pill on November 25, 2023, encouraged by peers to alleviate the discomfort of her menstrual periods. However, distressing symptoms surfaced by December 5, manifesting as severe headaches and vomiting toward the week's conclusion. Ayla's condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to her family seeking medical advice. Jenna Braithwaite, Ayla's aunt, detailed the harrowing events that followed. Despite Ayla's acute distress and continuous vomiting during a GP visit on December 6, she was only prescribed anti-sickness medication, with the GP attributing her symptoms to a stomach bug and advising hospitalization only if the condition persisted.