Reasons why U.S. women used contraception in 2024

Contraception use in the United States serves multiple purposes, with preventing pregnancy being the primary reason for most women. A 2024 survey revealed that 65 percent of women who used contraception in the past year did so solely to prevent pregnancy. This highlights the continued importance of family planning and reproductive health choices for American women.

Importance of pregnancy prevention

The focus on pregnancy prevention aligns with broader attitudes among reproductive-aged women in the United States. In 2022, approximately 74 percent of these women considered it very important or somewhat important to avoid pregnancy in the next month. This widespread desire for pregnancy prevention underscores the significance of accessible contraception options. However, access issues persist, as roughly a third of women of reproductive age who had used hormonal contraception reported missing a dose due to supply problems.

Contraception side effects and considerations

While contraception is widely used for pregnancy prevention, it's not without challenges. In 2022, mood changes and weight gain were reported as the most common side effects by almost half of women using contraception. Nearly eight out of ten women experienced two or more side effects that were unexpected or more severe than anticipated. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive education and support for women using contraceptive methods, as well as ongoing research to improve options with fewer side effects.