Long-acting, reversible and permanent methods of contraception: insight into women’s choice of method

Kane, Roslyn; Irving, Gwen; Brown, Sally; Parkes, Neal; Walling, Martin; Killick, Stephen

Abstract

Background This study aims to explore the views of women concerning their choice of long-acting method of contraception.
Method: two-hundred and eighty-six women who had either been sterilised or fitted with an etonorgestrel
(ETN) implant or the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG IUS) were invited to take part. A response rate of 54% was achieved. Women from all three groups reported positive and negative experiences with their chosen method.
Results: women frequently choose sterilisation
specifically because it is irreversible, does not involve
hormonal treatment, and they do not wish to retain choice of future fertility. Women incorrectly regard sterilisation as more reliable than any reversible method. Regret after sterilisation was common, even if this was preceded by full counselling. Even among patients of practices with a special interest in family planning, long-acting methods, although available, were not widely known about.
Conclusion: this study suggests that women chose
sterilisation for one of three main reasons: to avoid the possible side-effects of hormones; to avoid continually
having to make decisions regarding childbearing; and/or a lack of information regarding reversible methods. Sterilisation is often chosen by women specifically because of its irreversibility. This may explain why long-acting reversible methods have remained relatively unpopular.

Citation

Kane, R., Irving, G., Brown, S., Parkes, N., Walling, M., & Killick, S. (2009). Long-acting, reversible and permanent methods of contraception: insight into women’s choice of method. Quality in Primary Care, 17, 107-114

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 29, 2009
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2009
• Deposit Date: May 3, 2016
• Journal: Quality in Primary Care
• Print ISSN: 1479-1072
• Electronic ISSN: 1479-1064
• Publisher: Radcliffe Medical Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Pages: 107-114
• Keywords: Contraception; long-acting reversible (LARC) methods; sterilisation
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/9911
• PMID: 19416603