Contraceptive use and pregnancy plans among women of reproductive age during the first Australian COVID-19 lockdown: findings from an online survey

Impact of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on contraception use in 2020 and up until the end of April 2021 in France

“…Similarly, a decreased interest in sex during quarantine was observed in Australia [26] . Australian women also delayed their pregnancies during the first lockdown [27] , and Turkish women reported a reduced desire to have a child during the pandemic [28] .…”

Reproductive justice in the time of COVID-19: a systematic review of the indirect impacts of COVID-19 on sexual and reproductive health

“…Additionally, 47.1% more women came in for an abortion later in the pandemic, when pandemic related restrictions eased, compared to earlier in the pandemic, with strict lockdowns • Women who came in for an abortion earlier in the pandemic had a later period of gestation compared to women who came in when restrictions eased (9.5 weeks vs 7.5 weeks; p = 0.049). Distance from health facility was also significantly associated with accessibility to the health facility, with women who lived more than 5 h from the facility not seeking an abortion early in the pandemic (p = 0.021) • Finally, 48% of all women enrolled in the study reported an increased need for contraception, with 23% of women not using contraceptives due to inaccessibility due to lockdowns Caruso et al [ 43 ] Quantitative; Cross-sectional Women who use hormonal contraceptives and were registered at a family planning clinic in Italy (n = 317) COVID-19 Contraceptive utilization • Two-thirds of participants used short-acting reversible contraceptives (SARC; oral contraceptive pill = 53.3%; vaginal ring = 14.2%) and one-third of participants used long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC; subdermal implant = 19.2%); IUD = 13.2%) • 70% of women used contraceptives to avoid unplanned pregnancies; 30% used contraceptives for additional non-contraceptive benefits • Women who married or co-habiting continued to use contraceptives and had no unplanned pregnancies • Half of all women (n = 51) who were not co-habiting discontinued SARC; half continued to engage in sexual activity (n = 47) and 15% (n = 15) had an unplanned pregnancy, for which they sought abortion Coombe et al [ 46 ] Mixed methods; Cross-sectional Australian women of reproductive age (18–49 years) (n = 518) COVID-19 Pregnancy intentions & access to contraceptives • Most participants (76%) indicated that they were trying to avoid pregnancy • Nearly 20% of women were not using any contraception. Of those that were, the oral contraceptive pill was the most common (21%) method • When asked about SRH access during lockdown, only 9% reporting difficulties accessing contraception.…”

“…In China, 9% of young women reported experiencing a shortage in contraceptives [ 45 ]. Similarly, few women (9%) reported difficulties accessing contraceptives in Australia, however, nearly a quarter (22%) reported unmet SRH-related needs, which include needing to access general practice, SRH specialist providers, pharmacies, hospitals, or counseling services [ 46 ]. In Nepal, 48% of women seeking safe abortion services reported an increased need for contraception, with 23% not using contraceptives due to inaccessibility because of lockdowns [ 39 ].…”

“…Moreover, little is known about the impact of COVID-19 on fertility treatments and gynecological cancer screenings and treatment. Only one study, from Australia, reported that several women trying to conceive had actively stopped trying or were unable to continue because their in-vitro fertilization appointments had been cancelled [ 46 ].…”

Increasing access to women’s sexual and reproductive health services: telehealth is only the start

“…The COVID‐19 pandemic has only made the situation worse. Women, particularly those who are unemployed, have reported problems with access to contraception during lockdowns 7 . Private clinics providing sexual and reproductive health services are vulnerable to transport disruptions, 8 the reduced availability of providers, and a lack of personal protective equipment.…”