Fifty years ago, the F.D.A. approved oral contraceptives, otherwise known as birth control pills.  And since then, the pill has revolutionized the way men and women think about utilizing contraceptives.

Women who take the pill enjoy the benefits of it being close to 100 percent effective when taken correctly.

And on the 50th anniversary, executives at Planned Parenthood are looking ahead at what improvements can be made in women's health in the future.

Planned Parenthood President/CEO Katherine Humphrey says, "There is still an enormous challenge, relative to access, largely having to do with economics, women not having insurance, women not having employment currently in this economy, women not being able to afford contraceptives."

The pill does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, which is a common misconception.