Use of IUDs Is Finally Rising in the U.S.

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) and subdermal contraceptive implants are safer than estrogen-containing contraceptive pills, as effective as tubal ligation, rapidly reversible, cost-effective, and favored by women in much of the world — yet, surprisingly, many U.S. women have never heard of IUDs or contraceptive implants. To assess whether use of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) has grown, researchers analyzed data from the National Survey of Family Growth, in which representative U.S. women (age range, 15–44) were interviewed about sexual and reproductive health (7643 women in 2002 and 7356 women in 2006 through 2008).

In 2002, only 2.4% of participants who used contraception used LARC. By 2008, this number had risen to 5.6%; however…