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Contraception - Background information
What are the levels of use of contraceptive methods in the UK?
- Use of contraceptive methods has been documented by a survey of nearly 5000 households in Great Britain (i.e. England, Scotland, and Wales), conducted in 2005 and 2006 [National Statistics, 2006]. The main results are summarized in Table 1.
Table 1. Use of contraceptive methods by women aged 16–49 years living in Great Britain in 2005/2006.
Method | Proportion* |
|---|
Partner using the male condom | 21% |
Combined oral contraceptive (COC) | 17% |
Male partner sterilized | 11% |
Sterilized | 10% |
Copper intrauterine device (IUD) | 5% |
Progestogen-only pill (POP) | 5% |
Withdrawal | 4% |
Progestogen-only injectable | 3% |
Progestogen-only implant | 1% |
Cervical cap or diaphragm | 1% |
Emergency contraception | 1% |
Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (IUS) | 1% |
Natural family planning | 1% |
Female condom | < 1% |
Foams or gels | < 1% |
Using at least one method | 74% |
* Some women reported using more than 1 method; therefore the proportions sum to more than 74% |
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