The survey was conducted at all regular public and private schools with students in at least one of grades 9–12 in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Data are for students who reported they were sexually active.
Used Birth Control Pills Before Last Sexual Intercourse With Opposite-Sex Partner
(to prevent pregnancy, not counting emergency contraception such as Plan B or the "morning after" pill)
Citation formats
U.S. students using birth control to prevent pregnancy 2021, by sex
A 2021 survey of American high school students found that of those who were sexually active and engaging in sex with opposite-sex partners, 20.9 percent were using the birth control pill to prevent pregnancy. Prevalence was highest among female students.
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CDC. (April 28, 2023). Share of high school students using the birth control pill to prevent pregnancy in the United States in 2021, by sex [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 28, 2026, from /statistics/222523/us-students-who-used-a-birth-control-pill-by-gender-and-ethnicity/
CDC. "Share of high school students using the birth control pill to prevent pregnancy in the United States in 2021, by sex." Chart. April 28, 2023. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 28, 2026. /statistics/222523/us-students-who-used-a-birth-control-pill-by-gender-and-ethnicity/
CDC. (2023). Share of high school students using the birth control pill to prevent pregnancy in the United States in 2021, by sex. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 28, 2026. /statistics/222523/us-students-who-used-a-birth-control-pill-by-gender-and-ethnicity/
CDC. "Share of High School Students Using The Birth Control Pill to Prevent Pregnancy in The United States in 2021, by Sex." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 28 Apr 2023, /statistics/222523/us-students-who-used-a-birth-control-pill-by-gender-and-ethnicity/
CDC, Share of high school students using the birth control pill to prevent pregnancy in the United States in 2021, by sex ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/222523/us-students-who-used-a-birth-control-pill-by-gender-and-ethnicity/ (last visited July 28, 2026)
Share of high school students using the birth control pill to prevent pregnancy in the United States in 2021, by sex [Graph], CDC, April 28, 2023. [Online]. Available: /statistics/222523/us-students-who-used-a-birth-control-pill-by-gender-and-ethnicity/
