Obstacles to use of hormonal contraception

Enabling women to control the timing of their childbearing has positive consequences on their physical and mental well-being as well as for society as a whole. Identifying and removing the obstacles to effective contraceptive use, coupled with improvements in the delivery of contraceptive services, must be given high priority from all sectors, both private and governmental. The consequences to a woman of an unintended pregnancy can be physically, psychologically, and economically far-reaching. Assisting women to control the timing or spacing of their childbearing or to help women effectively prevent any future childbearing is a challenge that must be addressed by health professionals and educators. Therefore identification of women who are at risk of unintended pregnancy as a result of inadequate use of contraception, lack of its use, or use of inappropriate methods is important to help women and couples achieve their reproductive goals as well as to reduce the high rate of unintended pregnancy in the United States. In addition, overcoming common obstacles to effective contraceptive use as well as those within the health service delivery arena will enable women to take better control of and improve their lives.