Women's Health

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that the history of oral contraceptives in the United States and the world is one of many controversies. The writer points out that the fight by forward minded women and men, attempting to create a society where every child was a planned and welcomed member to a loving family, has been long and arduous and certainly is not over yet. The writer discusses that the issues surrounding oral contraceptives are varied but include perspectives of ethical/moral grounds, issues regarding the science of development, issues regarding pharmaceutical economics, issues regarding general economics such as access in underserved populations, and more common economic arguments about benefits versus cost. The writer concludes that future pharmacological research and development will continue to improve upon oral contraceptives, possibly further decreasing the unwanted side effects associated with the pill.

From the Paper:

"The draw to the pill as an effective form of contraception is often related of the ability to take the pill at any time, (providing that you take it around the same time every day) but that it can be separated from the act of sex, a common complaint by barrier contraceptive method users. Proper use of "the pill" as it is often called will create a situation of failure in only 1% of cases, though clinicians and manufacturers are careful to warn that if a pill is skipped ovulation can occur and that there are other medications that if taken in conjunction with the pill make it less effective, such as antibiotics. Another benefit of the pill is that it is relatively quick to take effect once the cycle of pills has been started, though this varies between different pill forms, with combined contraceptives, (estrogen and progesterone) the most common form taking about a week to take full effect and progesterone only pills (mini pills) taking only a few days. Lastly, the relatively quick manner in which the oral contraceptives leave the body, and therefore allow fertility again is another serious draw for use."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Baer, J. A. (Ed.). (2002). Historical and Multicultural Encyclopedia of Women's Reproductive Rights in the United States. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
• Bancroft, J. (1999). Sexual Science in the 21st Century: Where Are We Going? A Personal Note. The Journal of Sex Research, 36(3), 226.
• Clerics' Objections Erode U.N. Condom Stance. (2002, June 21). The Washington Times, p. A15.
• Formichelli, L. (2001, January). The Male Pill. Psychology Today, 34, 16.
• Garcia, L. L. (2000, December). The Globalization of Family Planning. World and I, 15, 259.

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