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During the mid- to late-1990s, several new prescription contraceptives were introduced in the U.S., including the levonorgestrel intrauterine system, the contraceptive patch, and the combined injectable contraceptive. Also at that time, private insurance companies dramatically expanded coverage for contraceptives. Investigators used data from the two most recent National Surveys of Family Growth, conducted in 1995 and 2002, to examine changes in prescription contraceptive use.
Between those two surveys, overall prescription contraceptive use increased by 3%, use of over-the-counter methods decreased by 7%, and nonuse of contraceptives increased by 4.5%. Privately insured women reported a significant 5.5% increase in prescription contraceptiv…