Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Millions of women were prescribed Primodos as a pregnancy test before concerns emerged that it could cause devastating birth defects. Primodos contained the same synthetic hormones that are in many hormonal contraceptives still prescribed today. More than 60 years later, the women who were prescribed it ares still waiting an apology.
In this week’s episode Professor Neil Vargesson and I talk about what happened, why it took 20 years for the drug to be withdrawn as a pregnancy test (yet it is still prescribed now) and what this scandal teaches us about synthetic hormones, medical research and the importance of accurate knowledge.
For more on this, listen to my latest podcast with Professor Neil Vargesson. It’s live now, click the link in my bio to listen 🎙️ It’s a really great conversation that I think all women need to listen to!
Millions of women were prescribed Primodos as a pregnancy test before concerns emerged that it could cause devastating birth defects. Primodos contained the same synthetic hormones that are in many hormonal contraceptives still prescribed today. More than 60 years later, the women who were prescribed it ares still waiting an apology.
In this week’s episode Professor Neil Vargesson and I talk about what happened, why it took 20 years for the drug to be withdrawn as a pregnancy test (yet it is still prescribed now) and what this scandal teaches us about synthetic hormones, medical research and the importance of accurate knowledge.
For more on this, listen to my latest podcast with Professor Neil Vargesson. It’s live now, click the link in my bio to listen 🎙️ It’s a really great conversation that I think all women need to listen to!
