A recent study published in the British Medical Journal highlights a troubling trend: an increasing number of women are forgoing contraception altogether, while the use of natural methods like fertility awareness has also seen a rise. The research suggests that these changes in contraceptive habits are contributing to higher rates of unintended pregnancies and abortions.
The study, which analyzed data from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) between 2018 and 2023, found a notable 14% increase in the number of women who reported using no contraception at the time of conception. Specifically, the proportion of patients using no contraception rose from 55.8% in 2018 to 69.6% in 2023. Alongside this, the use of fertility-awareness methods—such as tracking temperature and cervical fluid—also increased, though to a much smaller extent, from 0.4% to 2.5%. In contrast, the use of hormonal methods like birth control pills and long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) significantly declined.
Researchers pointed out that the shift towards natural or non-hormonal methods is part of a larger trend, with younger women in particular opting for “natural” contraception methods like fertility tracking apps and the withdrawal method. This shift may be contributing to an increase in abortion rates across various demographics, with experts suggesting that less effective contraceptive methods could be responsible for higher unintended pregnancy rates.
However, some experts have raised concerns about the study’s methodology, particularly regarding the categorization of fertility awareness methods. The study grouped all forms of cycle tracking together, even though some methods are not FDA or EU-approved as contraceptive methods. Only one fertility-awareness method, Natural Cycles, is officially recognized for contraception, while other apps like Flo and Clue, though useful for tracking fertility windows, are not intended as contraceptive tools.
Experts from The Lowdown, a contraceptive education platform, noted that while fertility tracking apps can provide valuable information, they should not be viewed as reliable methods of contraception unless specifically designed for that purpose. They also emphasized that the rise in women using no contraception at all should be a key takeaway from the study, as this group saw the largest increase in real terms.
This study underscores the importance of accurate education and awareness regarding contraception methods. As more women explore alternatives to hormonal contraceptives, it is crucial to ensure they understand the effectiveness—and limitations—of natural fertility tracking methods to avoid unintended pregnancies.
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