In the nearly 40 years since the birth control pill was introduced in the US, the number of women using this most popular form of contraception has multiplied more than 10 fold. Today's low-dose oral contraceptives are recognized as trusted and safe, not only for pregnancy prevention, but for their noncontraceptive benefits as well.

FACTS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW

	There are 58 million US women aged 15 to 44 (1990).
	Over 2/3 are at risk of unintended pregnancy. They are sexually active but do not want to become pregnant, but could if they used no contraception.
	Eleven percent of women age 15-19 become pregnant each year.
	About 28 percent of all pregnancies in the U.S. end in induced abortion, approximately 20% of those abortions are performed on teenagers.
	Nine in 10 women at risk of unwanted pregnancy use some form of a contraceptive method.
	Among those practicing contraception, 29 percent take oral contraceptives.

CONTRACEPTIVE USE ON THE RISE

	Oral contraceptives have been on the market for more than 30 years and are the most popular form of reversible birth control in the United States.
	From 1982-1990, overall pill use increased little, from 28 percent to 29 percent. Increased use occurred among women aged 25-39; declines in pill use occurred among teenagers (from 64 percent to 52 percent) and among black women (from 38 percent to 29 percent).

TODAY’S CONTRACEPTIVE OPTIONS

	Of the 8.5 million women aged 15-19 who use a contraceptive method, 52 percent take oral contraceptives.
	Besides preventing pregnancy, the pill offers the additional benefits of making menstrual periods lighter, and protecting against pelvic inflammatory disease and ovarian and endometrial cancers.

Data provided in this fact sheet are from research conducted by The Alan Guttmacher Institute and the National Center for Health Statistics and/or were published in Family Planning Perspectives. Additional data published in FDA Consumer. Data are from the latest year for which they are available and refer to women aged 15-44 unless otherwise specified.

Organon Inc. West Orange, NJ 07052

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