For U.S. Women, It's Still the Pill

Since 1973, the National Survey of Family Growth has collected information about factors related to birth and pregnancy (including contraceptive practices) through in-home interviews with U.S. women. To estimate national contraceptive use rates, researchers analyzed data from 7356 women of reproductive age (15–44 years) who participated in the 2006–2008 survey.

Nearly all women (99%) who had ever had intercourse with a male partner reported that they had ever used at least one contraceptive method; the most common methods were male condoms (93%), oral contraceptive pills (OCPs; 82%), and withdrawal (59%). Current use of contraception was reported by 62% of women. Among women who were not current users, 7% were at high risk for unintended pre…