Current contraceptive use in the United States, 2006-2010, and changes in patterns of use since 1995

Use of contraception and the effectiveness of the method used to prevent pregnancy are major factors affecting national pregnancy and birth rates and the ability of women to plan their pregnancies. This report presents national estimates of contraceptive use among women of childbearing age (15-44 years) in 2006-2010. Selected comparisons are made with 1995 data to describe changes in contraceptive use and in method choice over time.

Data for 2006-2010 were collected through in-person interviews with 22,682 women and men aged 15-44 years in the household population of the United States. Interviews were conducted by female interviewers in the homes of sampled persons. This report is based primarily on the sample of 12,279 women interviewed in 2006-2010; some tables are supplemented with the sample of 10,847 women interviewed in 1995.

Sixty-two percent of women of reproductive age are currently using contraception. Of women using a contraceptive method in the month of the interview, the most common methods used are the pill (28%, or 10.6 million women) and female sterilization (27%, or 10.2 million women). Use of intrauterine devices as a current method has increased since 1995 (from 0.8% in 1995 to 5.6% in 2006-2010), whereas fewer women report that their partners are using condoms as their current, most effective contraceptive method. Of women at risk of an unintended pregnancy, 11% report not currently using a method of contraception.