Across the world in 2019, according to data collected by the United Nations, around 922 million women of reproductive age (15-49) use some form of contraceptive. In Australia 66.9 per cent of women aged 18-45 use birth control.
Contraceptives come in a number of different forms but can be classified within the five following groups. Traditional (withdrawal and periodic abstinence), short term (condoms and diaphragms), long term (the Pill, the rod and IUD’s), permanent (female/male sterilisation) and emergency (the morning after pill). Of these forms of birth control, the most effective are permanent and long term. As seen in the figure below, an implant (more commonly known as the rod) is the most effective with a failure rate between 0.1 per cent and 0.4 per cent. Female sterilisation is next with a failure rate of 0.15 per cent, but for obvious reasons this isn’t an option for everyone. The two forms of IUD follow as the most effective birth control for women.
Long term contraceptives are typically the most common form used by women as they have the lowest failure rates and don’t take away the option of having children in the future. Whist they are the safest option in terms of preventing pregnancy, they can cause quite a few different side effects. Some of these being acne, headaches, nausea and irregular menstrual bleeding. It can also cause mood changes as well as have an impact on your mental health (depression and increased nervousness/anxiety). Due to these factors women do have to “shop around” before they find a contraceptive which works well for them.
Thanks to their being many version of the Pill, in 1995 it was the most common contraceptive used between the ages of 18 and 39. Condoms were the second most popular in these age groups, however they are considered a male contraceptive. Next to the Pill, Female sterilisation was most common, particularly among older women. In the age group of 40-49, sterilisation was higher than use of the Pill, as well as higher than male sterilisation. Women 40 and above are more likely to have complications with a pregnancy. Therefore being sterilised removes the possibility of falling pregnant, as well as having to take the Pill. The Pill is only effective if it is taken around the same time every day. If forgotten for more than two days there is a chance of falling pregnant. Among this older age group it can be too risky, and after taking the pill for so many years, they may simply be over it and its side effects.
Contrary to the side effects it may cause (and the risk if you are forgetful) the Pill has remained the most popular contraceptive in Australia, particularly in younger age groups. Its popularity did drop in the 18-34 age range between 1989 and 1995. However, this was most likely caused by the IUD gaining popularity in the 1990s.
According to the UN the use of contraceptives worldwide has risen by 80 per cent since 1970s. Contraceptives are an extremely important part of society, they give women the opportunity to take control of their lives and choose when or if to become pregnant. And the invention of the Pill and other long term contraceptives has made it even easier for women to take ownership of their bodies.
Featured Image: A Range of Common Contraceptives. Photo by Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition on Unsplash
