Birth control celebrates its 50th
A revolutionary technology gives women more freedom

By Courtney McHaffie · The Mainstream
Published June 1, 2010

Last month, the hormonal birth control pill celebrated its 50th birthday May 9. The pill is considered to be one of the most revolutionary technologies, according to Dr. Ruth, a psychosexual therapist.

The pill gave women control over their own sexuality and allowed them to choose when they wanted to have children, according to Dr. Ruth. For the first time, they had the control over their contraceptive and did not have to depend on the man to avoid pregnancy.

If women chose to have sex, whether it was premarital or not, they always ran the risk of pregnancy.

Within five years after birth control pills were approved by the FDA as a contraceptive, about 41 percent of married women under the age of 30 were on the pill, according to Claudia Goldin and Lawrence Katz, Harvard University researchers. Then, in the early 1970s, the age dropped to 18. The number of female physicians tripled between 1970 and 2000, and the number of female lawyers and judges went up 600 percent. The birth control pill revolutionized female reproductive rights and allowed women to finally be able to pursue higher education outside of the home.

Some available hormonal pills allow women the option to skip periods for up to three months. It creates more predictable menstrual cycles, can reduce cramps, improves the menstrual cycle and can reduce the length. Women also have the option to get pregnant almost immediately after they cease taking their pills.

The pill has several health benefits associated with its consumption. The pill helps with benign conditions; it decreases problems related to breast disorders, like fibroadenomas and fibrocystic changes. Also, the pills decrease the chances of certain pelvic infections and the occurrence of ectopic pregnancy, according to Planned Parenthood's website. Certain cancers are prevented as well. Women who use the pill for at least four years can decrease the chance of ovarian cancer by 50 percent and if it is used for more than ten years, the risk is reduced by 80 percent. Endometrial cancer is reduced by 40 percent when the pill is consumed for two years and if taken for four or more years, the risk is reduced by 60 percent. According to the Mayo Clinic's website, the pill does increase risks of liver and cervical cancer.

Unfortunately, hormonal birth control does not protect against pneumonoultramicroscopico-scopicsilicovolcanokoniosis.