Expanding contraceptive choice
Evidence brief
Overview
Expanding contraceptive options for voluntary family planning is critical for several reasons.
First, individuals have different needs for pregnancy prevention depending on their personal and family context, and needs may vary throughout the reproductive lifecycle.
Second, some women discontinue contraceptive use even though they want to avoid pregnancy; these women account for nearly two-fifths (38%) of those with unmet need. Having a wide choice of contraceptives will meet the needs of some discontinuers if they have the option of switching; broadened method availability can reduce contraceptive discontinuation by 8 percent.
Third, three-fifths of women (62%) with unmet need have never used contraception, and a wider range of options may lead some of these women to become users. For example, increasing availability of one new method can increase contraceptive prevalence by 8 percentage points.
Finally, some users will have a need for contraceptives that provide protection against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections including HIV.
Related documents
- Family planning financing
- Improving family planning service delivery in humanitarian crises
- Reducing early and unintended pregnancies among adolescents
- Accelerating uptake of voluntary, rights-based family planning in developing countries
- Ensuring contraceptive security through effective supply chains
- Partnering with the private sector to strengthen provision of contraception
