New research reveals pregnancy and contraception concerns of female students
Sex on Female First
• 76% of students surveyed (students surveyed=1,354) said they had no intention of getting pregnant in the next 3 years1
• 78% said they have worried in the past that they may be pregnant 1
• 92% said they were currently using the combined pill and/or male condom and only 19% said they were currently using a long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) method,1 highlighting that many students aren't taking advantage of the wide range of contraceptive options available to them
New research found that whilst three quarters (76%) of female students surveyed did not want to get pregnant in the next three years,1 many are not confident about their current contraceptive choice.
The research found that 78% of students have already had a pregnancy scare, more than half (59%) have taken a pregnancy test previously, and 41% have used emergency contraception.1
There are 15 different types of contraception for males and females available in the UK2, 13 of which females use, yet 92% of female students are currently using the combined pill and/or male condom and only 19% are currently using a long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) method.1 This highlights that many students are not taking advantage of the wide range of contraceptive options available to them, including alternatives to the pill and/or condom that offer long-term but reversible protection from pregnancy.
Furthermore, 62% of students currently taking the combined pill expressed concerns about forgetting to take it every day and 71% of those using condoms are worried about it splitting. With such statistics emphasising student's concerns, the MSD 2015 Love, Life & LARCs campaign in collaboration with sexual health charity FPA, aims to raise awareness of the contraceptive options available to women across the UK, particularly LARCs, and dispel any myths and misconceptions female students might have over choosing a LARC.
"Every woman has the right to a method of contraception that works well with her body and suits her lifestyle. However, despite the wide range of options available across the UK many women lack an awareness of these options or are discouraged by common misconceptions. The Love, Life and LARCs campaign is committed to raising awareness of these options among female students to ensure that their contraception options support them through their education and beyond," commented Natika Halil, Chief Executive, FPA.
What are LARCs?
Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) are methods of birth control that provide effective contraception for an extended period without requiring user action. They include:
• Contraceptive implant: A flexible rod fitted just under the skin in the upper arm- lasts for up to 3 years and contains a hormone called progestogen. Over 99% effective.
• Contraceptive injection: Injected into buttocks, arm, leg or abdomen every 8 to 13 weeks, depending on the type. Contains a hormone called progestogen. 97% effective.
• Intrauterine system (IUS): Fitted into the womb and lasts for 3 to 5 years depending on the type. Contains a hormone called progestogen. Over 99% effective.
• Intrauterine device/coil (IUD): Fitted into the womb and lasts for 5 to 10 years depending on the type. Does not contain hormones. Over 99% effective.
Although over half (53%) of female students have considered a LARC in the past, the research found that only 19% had gone on to use one.1 Female students raised a number of concerns affecting their decision when considering a LARC, including the pain caused by administration, impact on bleeding pattern and concerns over the risk of fertility later in life.1
Natika Halil, Chief Executive, FPA added, "Contraceptive requirements vary greatly among women and it's important that they are supported to make informed choices rather than having to base their decisions on what they have heard of other's experiences. For many women the benefits of having a LARC outweigh the few minutes of discomfort experienced during administration or any initial impact on bleeding pattern. The 'R' in LARC stands for reversible, which means none of these methods are permanent. Women can discuss any concerns they might have about choosing a LARC with their GP or a nurse at their local contraceptive clinic."
The research was commissioned by MSD (Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA) in partnering with the National Union of Students (NUS), the 2015 Love, Life & LARCs campaign will reach out to female students from over 600 student unions across the country