The Pill: How to Make Love Without Worrying About Your Future – Sex and Science

The 1960s was a turning point for a sexual revolution in the United States.  Still reeling from the horrors of the Second World War and the 1930s depression, people in the United States and elsewhere were trying to bring normalcy to their lives and focused on family life.  As a result, the U.S. population shot up from 140,000,000 in 1945 to 180,000,000 in 1960, a dramatic 22% increase.  To answer the unprecedented population growth, the introduction of synthetic progesterone, more commonly known as the birth control pill, was approved by the FDA in 1960.  As a consequence, the introduction of synthetic progesterone and estrogen, coupled with the stirrings of the second wave of women's liberation, gave impetus to heightened sexual liberation for both men and women. At the same time, it enabled women to begin to stand toe-to-toe with men in asserting their rights and desires.

The newfound readiness to engage in sexual activity without worrying about pregnancy made women realize that they could be more in control of their destiny.  The birth control pill, and subsequent effective contraceptives, brought on a new sense of hope and desire among women to realize long-held dreams.  More women entered college, finished their academic degrees, and opted for advanced education.  Currently, there exists an equal number of women and men in medical and law schools.  Many women, having completed their education or often without completing them, entered the workforce and occupied positions traditionally handled by men.  In the hallowed halls of the Fortune 500, 41 women CEOs now occupy the pole position, an all-time high.

However, there were unintended consequences that came to the fore after the introduction of the pill. In 1960, there were 1600 births per 1000 women-years in this country. In 2015, that had dropped to 600 births per 1000 women-years.  Some have expressed concern that with an aging population we will not have enough of a younger population to support and serve the country.  Moreover, women have delayed marriage and childbearing increasing the likelihood of infertility becoming a potentially difficult issue for them to deal with as they age.  Thus, the "contraceptive pill" has affected American lives and society in more ways than can be imagined.  It has opened up a world of possibilities, especially for women.  No longer is sex and pregnancy the limiting factors they once were.

by Dr. Barry Verkauf, author of the book, Sex, Science, Society, and Reproduction: The Pill that changed America

In Vitro Fertilization-How to get Pregnant without Sex

The birth control pill, and other subsequent contraception, when used appropriately, prevent unwanted pregnancy. For pregnancies which occur and are not desired in the United States, Rowe versus Wade provides opportunity for termination of these pregnancies.  For most couples, pregnancy is a choice they desire, although for some it is as difficult to achieve as scaling Mount Everest. Over time, infertility has generally affected 11 to 15 percent of the population and may be contributed to by damaged fallopian tubes, difficulties with ovulation, inadequate sperm production by the male, and a few other issues.  While improvements in treatment methods of these deficiencies in recent years have increased their efficacy, only about 50% of infertile couples will conceive with their use.  Like a ray of light bursting in with hope, in vitro fertilization (IVF) came onto the scene with the first spectacular live birth in England, initiated by Drs. Edwards and Steptoe in 1978.  In the United States, under the aegis of Drs. Howard and Georgeanna Jones, America's first IVF pregnancy occurred in 1981 in Virginia. 

IVF involves the surgical collection of a woman's eggs and a man's sperm for fertilization, usually by masturbation, and fertilization occurs in the laboratory in a dish.  The resulting embryos are subsequently transferred into a woman's uterus for the pregnancy to proceed.  It may sound like a simple procedure, but it is not.  It is sufficiently convoluted that it requires the skill of a cadre of clinical, laboratory, and radiologic personnel.  The cost is usually about $18,000 per attempted cycle in the United States.  Each attempt has its emotional toll, as well. Nevertheless, it is sought after by most couples who do not conceive with simpler treatments.  IVF accounts for about 2% of babies born in the United States currently.  

It is said that when one door closes, a window somewhere opens. This seems to be the case with IVF, a welcome potential window for couples who can't conceive using traditional therapy methods.

by Dr. Barry Verkauf, author of the book, Sex, Science, Society, and Reproduction: The Pill that changed America