The pill around the world.

The emergence of the oral contraceptive pill as a coitally independent method of fertility regulation is discussed. Estimates show that users in the United States increased from 408,000 women in 1961 to 5,000,000 in 1965 and 12,000,000 users are forecast for 1985. In comparison, 20% of the women of reproductive age in Australasia use oral contraception, while users in the United States represent 8.2%, 3.2% in the United Kingdom, and .05% in India. Figures for world use, by region and country, are presented. Lack of governmental approval, the relatively high cost of the pill compared with IUDs and condoms, and difficulties in mass-scale distribution are cited as reasons impeding more widespread use. It is estimated that 40,000,000 of the world's women will be using the pill by 1980, and development of an effective low-dosage pill is expected to increase the number.