Contraception

Efforts to prevent pregnancy have been attempted since ancient times and in many cultures. Contraception methods ranged from the use of tampons treated with herbal spermicide by the Egyptians in 1550 B.C. to the use of animal membrane condoms in the eighteenth century. The introduction of the oral contraceptive pill in 1960 launched a new era, making contraception easier and more effective than earlier methods. However, sterilization remains the method used most frequently.

In the United States, about 64% of women between 15 and 44 years of age used contraception in 1995, a total of about 60 million. Worldwide, contraceptive use increased 10-fold from 1963 to 1993. However, contraception remains controversial, with some religious and political groups opposed to the distribution of contraceptives.