Contraception & Sexual Behaviour
1 in 4 women use contraception
Usual method of contraception in 2004/05 by women aged 16 to 49, Great Britain
The majority (75 per cent) of GB women were using at least one method of contraception in 2004/05. The contraceptive pill continued to be the most common method of contraception, used by a quarter of women. The second most popular method was the male condom, used by 22 per cent of women. Nearly two in ten men had had a vasectomy and one in ten women were sterilized. Other methods of contraception used included the IUD, withdrawal and hormonal injections/implants (each 4 per cent). Less than 1 per cent of women used the female condom or spermicides.
The type of contraception that women use varies according to their age. Women aged under 30 years were more likely to use the pill or the male condom as a method of contraception. The use of both methods peaked at 55 per cent and 38 per cent respectively among 18 and 19 year olds. In contrast, just under a third of women aged 30 to 34 used the contraceptive pill and just over a fifth the male condom. Reliance on sterilisation as a method of contraception was highest among those aged 30 or over.
Seven per cent of women had used the 'morning after pill' at least once during the previous year and fewer than one per cent the emergency IUD. Condom failure was mentioned by over nearly a half (46 per cent) of women who used the 'morning after pill' during the last year as the reason for having used it.
With the exception of women not currently in a heterosexual relationship, who were typically aged under 25, most women not using contraception were older than 30. Reasons for not using contraception included wanting to get pregnant, being sterile after an operation not intended to prevent pregnancy, being pregnant and not liking contraception.
Source: Contraception and Sexual Health, 2004/05 ONS 2005
Note: All data refer to women aged16 to 49 and men aged 16 to 69 unless otherwise stated.
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