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Contraception methods in the United States reveal a diverse landscape of choices, with male condoms and oral contraceptives leading the way. A 2024 survey found that 25 percent of reproductive-aged women used male condoms in the past year, while 22 percent opted for oral contraceptives. This data highlights the continued importance of accessible and varied contraceptive options for American women.

Increasing contraception use and pregnancy prevention

The use of contraception among sexually active women in the U.S. has seen a significant increase in recent years. In 2022, approximately 65 percent of women who had sex in the past year reported using at least one method of contraception, up from less than half in 2017. Although there are various reasons to use contraception, avoiding pregnancy is the most common reason, with 65 percent of women in 2024 reporting using contraception solely to prevent pregnancy. The importance of pregnancy prevention is further emphasized by the fact that about 74 percent of reproductive-aged women in 2022 considered it very or somewhat important to avoid pregnancy in the next month.

Challenges and side effects

Despite the widespread use of contraception, women face various challenges in maintaining consistent use and managing side effects. For example, approximately one-third of women of reproductive age who used hormonal contraception reported missing a dose due to supply problems. Additionally, side effects remain a significant concern for many users. In 2022, almost half of women using contraception experienced mood changes and weight gain as the most common side effects. Nearly eight out of ten women reported experiencing two or more side effects that were either unexpected or more severe than anticipated, underscoring the need for improved education and support for contraceptive users.