Choosing the Right Contraceptive
摘要
Healthcare providers must choose from a wide variety of options when addressing the contraceptive needs of their patients. Most women are looking for a method that is effective and easy to use with few side effects and that has good bleeding control. While female sterilization and oral contraceptive pills, along with rings and patches, have traditionally been the most popular methods in the United States, the highly effective long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), the intrauterine devices and subdermal implants are quickly gaining increased popularity and are generally recommended as first-line options. The CDC reported that in 2017–2019, the most popular contraceptive methods in the United States were female sterilization (18.1%), oral contraceptive pills (14%), LARCs (10.4%) and the male condom (8.4%). While race and origin as well as education did not dramatically change the overall contraceptive use (60.5%–69.2%), contraceptive use consistently increased as women aged (38.7%–74.8%). Important new options include a new progestin-only pill (POP) containing drospirenone, a new vaginal ring [used for 3 cycles] and a new lower-dose contraceptive patch. This chapter recommends the best options in various populations and problem groups, identifies areas of concern, emphasizes safety issues, and provides counselling tips. In 2022, the American College of Obstetricians issued a statement regarding patient-centered contraceptive counselling that incorporated reproductive justice, avoiding counsellor bias, prioritizing patients’ values and acknowledging historical and ongoing reproductive mistreatment of people of color and other marginalized groups.