The combined oral contraceptive pill was invented in the 1950s. During the first ten years of its existence it remained an affordable contraceptive method. That was until the 1960s, when the Ministry of Health allowed doctors to prescribe the drug if they requested it, courtesy of the National Health Service. Since then, the Pill's popularity grew enormously and by the end of the 1960s over 15% of married British women were using it. Its rapid popularity was not limited to the UK as at the same time 2% of the female population worldwide relied on the pill as birth control. These figures continued to increase and after the 1970s the pill became the dominant contraceptive method in Britain (Marks, V, L, 2001). Margaret Sanger, a birth control activist, described the pill as offering female liberation, which explains its rapid popularity. Before the pill, contraception was very different, common methods to avoid pregnancy consisted of coitus interruptus, abstinence or even abortion. The pill liberated women because it eliminated the risk factor and they could forget about the worries of continuous reproduction. Women could enjoy sexual intercourse without the risk of unwanted pregnancies. They may, for the first time, plan ahead with confidence and not consider the chances of becoming pregnant. Having control over their fertility has given women a sense of relief, freedom and power over their bodies (Marks, V, L, 2001). The pill has become an integrated and normal part of many women's lives, and is now used by more than one person. one hundred million worldwide (Net Doctor 2011). Despite its normality in modern society, it has continued to be the subject of great interest and debate. It is the most researched... half of the article... and LondonNet Doctor (2011) Contraception The Contraceptive Pill [online] available: rated: 02/07/2012Paton G (2010) Huge increase in 11 year olds taking the pill in The Telegraph [online] available: rated: 10/02/2012The Christian Institute (2001) Promoting Promiscuity The Morning After Pill [online] available: < http://www.christian.org.uk/wp -content/downloads /promoting-promiscuity-summary.pdf> rated: 02/09/2010Women's Views on News (2010) more teens on the contraceptive pill teen sexualization or safe sex awareness [online] available: < http://www .womensviewsonnews.org /2010/08/more-teenagers-on-contraceptive-pill-sexualization-of-teenagers-or-awareness-of-safe-sex> rated: 07/02/2010