Use of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Is Rising in the U.S.

Can this upward trend in LARC use lead to lower rates of unintended pregnancy?

Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs; progestin or copper intrauterine devices [IUDs] and progestin implants) are the most effective reversible contraceptives currently available. Accordingly, LARC use is likely to be an important contributor to lowering rates of unplanned pregnancy. To examine changes in LARC use, investigators studied patterns of contraceptive use among women participating in the National Survey of Family Growth from 2008 to 2010 (6428 women) and 2011 to 2013 (5601 women). Based on pooled data, the two time periods are referred to as 2009 and 2012, respectively.

Between the first and second time periods among women using contraception, use of IUDs rose from 7.7% to 10.3%, and use of progestin implants rose from 0.8…

Reviewing Author

Robert L. Barbieri, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Robert L. Barbieri, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Use of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Is Rising in the U.S.

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Reviewing Author