Over the years, a wide variety of methods have been developed to reduce the chances of becoming pregnant. These methods are called birth con- trol or contraception. Birth control helps a couple plan if and when to have a child. However, birth control gained even more importance in the late twentieth century for two additional reasons. The world’s human population is growing faster than at any other time in history. For example, in 1800, Earth supported a population of almost 1 billion people. By the year 2000, the human pop- ulation reached 6 billion. If the current rate of growth continues, that num- ber will double within the next.
