Women Spending Five Minutes On Contraception And Worrying About Pregnancy New Fpa Research Shows

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 09 Feb 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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According to new figures launched today by fpa (Family Planning Association) almost one in three UK women aged 18-49 typically spends up to just five minutes selecting a suitable contraceptive method to use. Yet, almost half of these women (47%) have had a pregnancy scare (thinking they were or could be pregnant when they didn't want to be).

The findings are part of fpa's Finding the Perfect Partner (choose what you use) campaign to promote greater control over contraceptive choice among women and health professionals. fpa wants to support health professionals delivering contraceptive consultations as they have an important role to play in helping every woman find the contraceptive method that is right for her.

Commenting on the findings Julie Bentley, Chief Executive fpa said, "Worrying about pregnancy is very common as the emotional and financial costs of an unplanned pregnancy can be extremely high. Women lead busy lives full of demanding commitments and often end up prioritising other people's needs above their own. But contraception is a massively important issue. We think women should be putting themselves first and spending time to make sure they've got the right method for them from the wide choice available.

"However, another issue," said Julie, "is that contraceptive choice isn't just a clinical decision, it's a lifestyle one and it should be promoted this way to women much more than it currently is.

"Just because a woman asks for the pill, doesn't mean that the pill is the contraception she should end up using. There may be another method far more suitable, which she doesn't know about. All health professionals involved in giving contraceptive consultations should be making women aware of what's available so they can find the best method for them at that time."

fpa estimates there are potentially two million women using a contraceptive method that they are not happy with [1]. If women aren't happy with a method, they are more likely to stop using it and put themselves at risk of pregnancy. It is estimated that up to half of all pregnancies are unplanned and latest abortion figures showed a 2.5 per cent increase in the number of abortions [2].

There are fifteen methods of contraception, each differing in what they are, how they are used and who they are suitable for. Despite this, the pill and the condom are still overwhelmingly the most common methods used [3] and offered in Britain.

To help reduce unplanned pregnancy and abortion, fpa have undertaken the Finding the Perfect Partner campaign to support health professionals promote contraceptive options to women. Health professionals play a key part in providing information and services about contraception, how they are used and fitted, and how they can fit into lifestyle decisions.

fpa's new research also revealed that the most common reason given by women for not wanting to use a particular method was putting on weight. Mood changes/swings were listed as second, knowing someone who had a bad experience using it was third, with not having enough information coming in as fourth. Being put off having sex was only cited as the fifth reason and having to have an internal/vaginal exam to have it fitted was the sixth.

"There is very little research to support the belief that hormonal methods like the pill and the patch pile on the pounds", said Julie. "Our survey also shows that it is important to discuss what is involved during the procedure of fitting long acting methods of reversible contraception, including how long they work for and any discomfort that may be involved.

"During thorough contraceptive consultations health professionals can dispel myths and support women to make empowered and informed decisions, as well as ensuring the method is clinically safe to use."

To support all health professionals providing contraceptive consultations fpa's Helpline and Information Services Manager has written a briefing available online at http://www.fpa.org.uk.

Conducted by GfK NOP, 958 women aged 18-49 in the UK were surveyed via their face-to-face omnibus survey. The survey was nationally representative. Weighting to was applied to the data to bring it in line with national profiles. The research was conducted 4-16 December 2008 for fpa's Contraceptive Awareness Week (9-15 February 2009) themed Finding the Perfect Partner (choose what you use).

fpa (Family Planning Association) is the only registered charity working to improve the sexual health and reproductive rights of all people throughout the UK.

http://www.fpa.org.uk

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