Around the world over 100 million women rely on oral contraceptives (OCs). They benefit from the effectiveness, safety, and convenience of the pill. Still, many women do not use the pill as successfully as possible. Programs can help women use OCs effectively. When taken properly, the pill is a highly effective contraceptive. Oral contraceptives are unique among family planning methods, however: Their full effectiveness requires the user's daily action.

This paper reports developments in oral contraceptives (OCs). Four decades after the introduction of the pill, it was observed that more women than ever are using it.  It became the top modern family planning method among married women because of its benefits.  In fact, it is most popularly used among married women in Western Europe in contrast with those in China, India, and Japan.  Since this method is widely used, it deserves continuing attention from health care programs, providers, and researchers.

 Over 60 million women around the world are now using oral contraceptives because it is very effective, easy to use, and safe for most women.  Defined as containing less than 50 micrograms of estrogen, low-dose pills account for over 85% of pills sold in developed countries, almost 60% of pills sold in developing countries, and almost 80% of pills supplied by donor agencies.  Lower-dose pills seem to cause fewer unpleasant side effects, such as nausea or dizziness.&nb

 As of 1980-81 over 50 million women around the world use oral contraceptives (OCs).  In developing countries users increased from 14 million in 1977 to 18 million in 1980.  Sales in developed countries fell from a peak of 287 million cycles in 1975 to 253 million in 1979 and have remained stable.  Sales in Latin American countries increased by 50% since 1975.

 At this time, oral contraceptives (OCs) are the most popular reversible method of contraception in the world.  Marketing statistics gathered from at least 31 countries show that about 325 million cycles of OCs were sold in 1977.  This quantity of pills would supply 25 million women for a 1-year period;  about 21 million of these women are in developed countries with 4 million in developing nations.  Sales are in

 Literature pertaining to the possibile association between oral contraceptive (OC) use and the development of neoplasia is reviewed.  Methodological problems in the epidemiological study of the causes of neoplasia are discussed.  Selected animal and epidemiological studies of the relationship of OCs to breast neoplasms, cervical neoplasms, neoplasms of the uterine corpus, neoplasms of the pituitary and ovary, and liver tumors in various species and humans are 

 Data on U.S. morbidity and mortality trends related to oral contraceptive (OC) use (1955-1975) and Danish morbidity trends (1953-1972) are tabulated.  24 charts present data for:  1) the estimated number and minimum percentage of U.S. women, age 15-44, using OCs (1964-1976);  2) mortality rates from complications of pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium for U.S.

The minipill, once hailed as the successor to combination-type oral contraceptives (OCs), is used by no more than several hundred thousand women of the 50 million women estimated to be using OCs.  It consists of a progestogen dose of .5 mg or less taken daily, even during menstruation.  Its action is apparently through a combination of effects which include changes in tubal motility and the functioning of the corpus luteum, alterations of the endometrium, and in some cycles, prevention of ovulation.

This report provides data on worldwide distribution of oral contraceptives (OCs) over the last decade.  Marketing figures and information on government and international distribution programs were provided by AID, the Swedish International Development Authority, UNICEF, and IPPF.  It is noted that in at least 5 developed countries (Canada, Australia, West Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand) 25% or more of all women aged 15-44 are regularly purchasing OCs from pharmacies.