Seriously, this was my first reaction. Her female friends were involved long enough that they were fitted for dresses, and not one thought to give her a heads up? There is a time to keep a secret and a time to say, sweetheart, here's what's happening, let's start practicing your surprise face!

"This is a rich, very, very full bodied wine, with a strong, coppery bouquet"

Hehe. I giggled. Jenn and Brad's wine would have been a really bland, slightly too sweet white varietal I think. Angelina and Billy Bob's would have been a dark, earthy, peppery red. Here's hoping this is a sort of blend...

... Better than her wine with Billy Bob would have tasted?

Aw got to love that attitude that makes a man assume that a table full of attractive women must automatically be only interested in shallow things!? Because I mean, women, right? and pretty women esp, AMIRITE?

Seriously. I also suspect that if these go over the counter, it won't be because it's great for women and we've all rationally decided that, but because the birth control companies want to expand revenue streams. I worry about what happens to other options when BC goes over the counter - IUDs, Implanon, etc.

I think there is a good fit for every woman - I'm mildly terrified of an ectopic pregnancy (and I'm very sorry that you dealt with that), but it's way better for me than the rages, mood swings, and suicidal thoughts I had on hormonal BC. It's the posters idea that somehow there's this one magic solution that works…

Possibly we've just misunderstood nanny state... maybe they really meant "have lots of children, and be jealous of our nannies"

Rachel Weisz is 42.

Oh lord, you just made my Valentine's day.

Does the NYTimes want to hire me to discuss how delicious horses find grass by comparing the movie Black Beauty with the show My Little Ponies?

Why not go the IUD route? It can be cheaper, is as effective if not more so, and can last up to 5 or up to 10 years. I'm really glad you found something that works for you, but I think most other women who have also found something that works for them don't really need your pity :)

Yes.... much like, you know, we ignore their arguments that don't involve solid science or logic

I had a similar experience - I had crazy emotional mood swings and rage and even suicidal thoughts on BC, and even though I got from a doctor (it was at PP so it wasn't exactly a long winded discussion, partially because I just wanted to get on something and get out of there), I feel like I wasted months of misery…

I suggest reading the study itself - they mention that 1/3 of the women that had taken birth control ended up stopping it because of the side effects. That's a huge number - huge, compared to say current OTCs like you're discussing. And keep in mind, this is a daily pill that impacts your hormone levels - it isn't…

I'd like to kind of call some BS on the stats as they're presented here, with little to no context. There is a difference between "contraception" as it's used in the statistics, and "birth control pills". Contraception covers just about anything - periodic abstinence/rhythm method, pulling out, condoms, hormonal BC,…

As someone that's had really terrible reactions to hormonal birth control, I don't think it's fair to say it's this completely safe drug. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for it being more widely available and easier to get, but I also think that it should still be prescribed and that it should be a consult with your…

Theoretically yes, it is a horrible thing to say. But then again, she's modelling a public sphere, which opens her up to commentary on her looks, so it's not invalid or untimely to express your opinion.

Yes, this. Is also what I came here to say :)

I've been in a relationship for years and I enjoy the occasional lean cuisine. Am I not allowed to enjoy a mildly tasty, high sodium frozen meal simply because I've tricked a gentleman into co-habitation? Fie!