Contraception and pregnancy among young women in an urban Swedish population

The reproductive history and use of contraception in a representative sample of 19-year-old women from the city of Göteborg is reported. Oral contraceptives (OC) were taken by 47%, 4% had an intrauterine device and 12% used a barrier method while 37% practiced no form of contraception. The type of OC used and reasons for discontinuation are presented. The duration of OC use was one year or less for 46% of the women and exceeded 3 years in only 10%. Major causes of discontinued OC were the result of side effects attributed by the woman to OC, or a fear of OC. There were 93 pregnancies reported in the population sample, resulting in the birth of 34 infants. Pregnancy was terminated by legal abortion in 51% of the reported pregnancies. The ready availability of a return visit to discuss possible side effects and fears resulting from the chosen method of contraception may improve continuity, thus reducing the number of legal abortions.