Between 2017 and 2019, around 3 in 10 women of reproductive age did not use any form of contraception during their last sexual encounter even though they were at risk for unintended pregnancy. Meanwhile, 1 in 4 women with ongoing or potential need for contraceptive services used short-acting reversible methods, such as injectables, pills, transdermal patches, and vaginal rings during their last sexual encounter.
This statistic illustrates the percentage of women aged 18-49 years who had ongoing or potential need for contraceptive services in the United States from 2017-2019, by method of contraception last used.
Share of U.S. women aged 18-49 years who had ongoing or potential need for contraceptive services from 2017-2019, by method of contraception last used
Notes: Women with ongoing or potential need for contraceptive services were defined as women considered to be at risk for unintended pregnancy not using permanent contraception (female sterilization or male partner vasectomy). The number of women with ongoing or potential need for contraceptive services can be used to estimate how many women might seek services.
Categories of contraceptive methods reflect different levels of effort for method initiation and continuation. Long-acting reversible contraception methods include
intrauterine devices and contraceptive implants; these methods require the most clinical effort for initiation but require minimal follow-up until time for removal
or reinsertion and minimal action by the woman. Short-acting reversible contraception methods include injectables, pills, transdermal patches, and vaginal rings;
these methods require less clinical effort for initiation than long-acting reversible methods but require ongoing clinical services and supplies and action by the
woman to maintain use. Barrier or other reversible contraception methods included diaphragms, condoms (male or female), withdrawal, cervical caps, sponges,
spermicides, fertility-awareness–based methods, and emergency contraception; these methods have little or no need for clinical services for initiation, but require
action by the woman or her partner to maintain use.
Contraceptive method use at last sexual encounter was ascertained by the
answers to the questions, “The last time you had sex with a man, did you
or your partner do anything to keep you from getting pregnant?” (2019)
or “What did you or your partner do the last time you had sex to keep you
from getting pregnant?” (2017).
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
MMWR, & CDC. (June 25, 2021). Share of U.S. women aged 18-49 years who had ongoing or potential need for contraceptive services from 2017-2019, by method of contraception last used [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 24, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1251334/us-share-of-women-who-needed-contraceptive-services-by-method-of-contraception/
MMWR, und CDC. "Share of U.S. women aged 18-49 years who had ongoing or potential need for contraceptive services from 2017-2019, by method of contraception last used ." Chart. June 25, 2021. Statista. Accessed August 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1251334/us-share-of-women-who-needed-contraceptive-services-by-method-of-contraception/
MMWR, CDC. (2021). Share of U.S. women aged 18-49 years who had ongoing or potential need for contraceptive services from 2017-2019, by method of contraception last used . Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1251334/us-share-of-women-who-needed-contraceptive-services-by-method-of-contraception/
MMWR, and CDC. "Share of U.S. Women Aged 18-49 Years Who Had Ongoing or Potential Need for Contraceptive Services from 2017-2019, by Method of Contraception Last Used ." Statista, Statista Inc., 25 Jun 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1251334/us-share-of-women-who-needed-contraceptive-services-by-method-of-contraception/
MMWR & CDC, Share of U.S. women aged 18-49 years who had ongoing or potential need for contraceptive services from 2017-2019, by method of contraception last used Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1251334/us-share-of-women-who-needed-contraceptive-services-by-method-of-contraception/ (last visited August 24, 2024)
Share of U.S. women aged 18-49 years who had ongoing or potential need for contraceptive services from 2017-2019, by method of contraception last used [Graph], MMWR, & CDC, June 25, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1251334/us-share-of-women-who-needed-contraceptive-services-by-method-of-contraception/