The choice of contraception and whether or not it is available varies by country . One quarter of women aged 16 â `` 49 in United Kingdom were using the Pill as at 2006 ( combined pill or progestogen only pill ( `` minipill '' ) ) , compared to only 1 % of women in Japan . Usage varies widely by country , age , education , and marital status : one third of women aged 16 â `` 49 in Great Britain currently use either the combined pill or a progestogen-only `` minipill '' , compared to only 1 % of women in Japan .