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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
The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the Comstock laws that banned contraception. -
On the Market
The modern, low-dose, two- and three-phase birth control pills become available. -
contraceptive shot
The FDA approves the first hormone shot to prevent pregnancy for several months at a time -- Depo Provera. -
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
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.
