Changes in the Use of Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive Methods Among U.S. Nulliparous Women: Results from the 2006–2010, 2011–2013, and 2013–2015 National Survey of Family Growth

Abstract

Although current use of LARCs among sexually experienced U.S. nulliparous women shows an increasing trend, prevalence of use still remains low. There is the need to increase awareness of LARCs as an effective contraceptive choice for nulliparous women.

Are there unmet needs in contraceptive counselling and choice? Findings of the European TANCO Study

“…Despite these recommendations, lack of knowledge of LARCs and misperceptions around efficacy and side effects continue to limit women's choice of these highly effective methods [15,16]. Furthermore, discussion of LARCs may be limited by HCP assumptions about women's interests and beliefs when choosing a method of contraception [15,17,18]. Healthcare providers continue to be the most trusted source of sexual health information and therefore hold a key position in the delivery of reliable facts about contraception, despite a global increase in use of the internet and social media [19].…”

The Dynamics of Intimate Relationships and Contraceptive Use During Early Emerging Adulthood

“…Although LARC methods are commonly used by older couples, younger couples tend not to use these methods, in part because what makes them unique-their long-term horizon-is particularly unappealing to those who want to have a baby in the future but are unsure about when (Higgins 2017). In addition, clinicians were reluctant in the past, and perhaps are still so, to recommend LARC methods for young and/or childless women (Ihongbe and Masho 2018). To reduce undesired pregnancy during these ages-the period with the highest rates of undesired pregnancy-it will be necessary to develop new contraceptive methods that are perceived as less long-term than LARC methods, or to encourage the use of existing LARC methods by somehow changing perceptions about their suitability for short-term use or making them easier to discontinue without the assistance of a clinician.…”

How do women and health care professionals view hormonal long-acting reversible contraception? Results from an international survey

“…Of these, use of contraception was not appropriate or necessary in 2313 women as they had undergone a sterilisation procedure, were pregnant or trying to get pregnant, were medically infertile or were post-menopausal. Of the remaining women, 3225 provided (20) 168 (17) 170 (17) 208 (21) 73 (15) 66 (17) 1312 (19) Ineligible for contraception and did not provide a method (e.g., sterile, currently pregnant, post-menopausal)…”

“…Despite the high efficacy and satisfaction rates associated with LARCs, and in particular with intrauterine contraception (IUC), only around 14% of women of reproductive age worldwide use IUC [19]. This figure varies widely between continents/regionsdata from the USA, for example, indicates that despite an increase in uptake between 2008 and 2014 the prevalence of IUC use among nulliparous women aged 15-44 remains low at 4% [20]. In Europe, use of IUC is estimated to be around 17% in women aged 15-49 who use contraception [19].…”