Q and A: The 50th Anniversary of 'the Pill'

In the past half-century, few things have transformed society as profoundly as oral contraceptives. First introduced as the U.S. Federal Drug Administration-approved drug Enovid in 1961, "the pill" works by providing a constant supply of estrogen and progesterone, which block the hormones that lead to ovulation. About 85% of women in the United States will take contraceptive drugs for an average of 5 years. Given its widespread use by a generally healthy and young population, what is known about the risks and benefits of oral contraception? What are the alternatives? And when will we see "the pill" for men?