Oh, it’s all just in their heads. In case of the pill, the very first study on it [1] claims that “side reactions” are “in large measure psychogenic” so “means for dealing with them may be devised”.

/s

Unfortunately it’s 2020 and I can imagine too well how seriously these women’s reports of “side reactions” were taken.

[1] Pincus, Garcia, Rock (1959): Effectiveness of an oral contraceptive.