the pill

Wales' lead for women's health said apps such as TikTok and Instagram could be part of the drop in women taking the pill or having implants, patches and hormonal coils.

She added thousands of women in the UK used the pill for many reasons, including managing symptoms of conditions such as endometriosis.

Lily said she did not have all the side effects of the pill explained to her before being prescribed it when she was 17.

However, data suggests this method is far less effective in preventing pregnancy compared to birth control methods like the IUD or the pill, which each are close to 99% effective.

Yet, according to a review published in 2021, many women reported wanting to regain control over their bodies as the reason for getting off birth control, indicating the pendulum of personal choice that began in the 1960s with the introduction of the pill might be showing signs of swinging in the other direction, at least for some.