Use of long-acting reversible contraceptives surges

The use of long-acting reversible contraceptives among women aged 15 to 44 years has increased five-fold over the past decade, according to a report released by the CDC.

Amy M. Branum, PSPH, PhD, of the division of vital statistics and reproductive statistics branch at the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, and colleagues, evaluated data from the National Survey of Family Growth, for years 1982, 1988, 1995, 2002, 2006 to 2010 and 2010 to 2013, to assess the usage patterns of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs).

Initially, LARC use declined 4% in 1982 to 1.4% in 1988, followed by steady usage through 2002. After 2002, usage increased from five-fold from 1.5% to 7.2% between 2011 and 2013, with IUDs accounting for the majority of LARC usage.

Between 2011 and 2013, women between the ages of 25 and 34 years comprise the greatest LARC use at 11.1%, compared to only 5% aged 15 to 24 years, and 5.3% aged 35 through 44 years.

LARC rates were highest among women who had at least one birth prior to contraceptive commencement, compared to those with no previous births.

LARC usage trends decreased similarly among women of varied ethnic origins between 1982 and 1995, however, this changed after 1995. From 2006 to 2010 and in 2011 and 2013, the use of LARCs increased significantly among Hispanic (129%) and non-Hispanic white (128%) women, whereas there was only a 30% increase among non-Hispanic black women.

Reference:

Branum AM, et al. NCHS Data Brief. CDC. Trends in long-acting reversible contraception use among U.S. women ages 15-44. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db188.pdf. Accessed February 24, 2015.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.