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Social fossils from the past abound, but what about the recent revelation that women have been following a pointless contraceptive regimen for the past 60 years? And all to please a pope? That just beggars belief

The Ritz in London: anachronistic as it might seem, the hotel’s rule on no sportswear is strictly enforced Pic: Reuters

I’m still getting over the Pope’s pill revelation. It really is astonishing, isn’t it? If you haven’t heard the story, scientists revealed some days ago that women who use the pill never actually needed seven pill-free days and a monthly bleed in order for their pill to be effective. A religious scientist 60 years ago thought that if he created the concept of pill-free days, which mimicked a natural cycle, the Pope might ...