Birth control pills

Birth Control Mandate

  • Birth Control invented

    Birth Control invented

    The Searle drug company receives FDA approval for Enovid - the first birth control pill. "The Pill" revolutionizes contraception. It's 100% effective -- but has terrible side effects, including life-threatening blood clots. Eventually it's realized that the dose is 10 times too high.
  • Ban on Contraceptives

    Ban on Contraceptives

    The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the Comstock laws that banned contraception.
  • On the Market

    On the Market

    The modern, low-dose, two- and three-phase birth control pills become available.
  • contraceptive shot

    contraceptive shot

    The FDA approves the first hormone shot to prevent pregnancy for several months at a time -- Depo Provera.
  • Morning After Pill

    Morning After Pill

    The first emergency contraception is approved by the FDA. Women can take Preven pills up to 72 hours after sex to prevent pregnancy.
  • Continuous pill

    Continuous pill

    The first continuous birth control pill, which women take every day to suppress their periods and provide birth control, was approved in September. Seasonale schedules four menstrual periods a year. Researchers are working on other pills that would schedule one menstrual period a year.