The birth control pill was introduced to the public in the early 1960s. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for clinical use on May 9, 1960. Today female oral contraceptives, colloquially known as the Pill, are the most popular method of contraception, a quarter of women aged 16-49 rely on it.

Birth control pills are synthetic hormones (progestin and most often also estrogen) that prevent ovulation. The contraceptive pill, however, can be prescribed for reasons other than contraception, for example, menstrual disorders, hormonal regulation in infertility treatment, acne.

The Pill is usually estimated to be over 99% effective. However, that figure relates to correct and regular Pill use. Actual failure rates are estimated to run at around 6%.

Birth control pills may disrupt a woman's sex drive. The researchers suggest one in six women who are taking the Pill experience such problems. It is also suggested that the loss of sexual desire could be linked to the elimination of ovulation, removing a natural trigger for a woman to have sex. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially in women over 35.

Though the Pill is absolutely legal in the US, in several states the laws allow pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions for contraceptives, including birth control pills, because of their religious beliefs or personal convictions.

In the UK the pharmacists may refuse to sell or dispense such drugs under the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Code of Ethics and Standards.

In Japan, continual debates over safety and sexually transmitted diseases risks (STD) have led to the Pill being banned for nearly 40 years, and its recent introduction has seen very few women take it up.