Suffolk sees surge in long-acting contraceptive use, mirroring national shift away from the pill

Brighten the Corners

Proud supporters of independent local journalism in Ipswich

Portrait photo of Oliver Rouane-Williams

2 October, 2024

More than half of women in Suffolk using contraception opt for long-acting methods, new NHS data reveals. This trend mirrors a national shift away from the pill.

The big picture: 53% of 6,369 women using contraception in Suffolk chose long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) in 2023-24. Just 27% used the pill.

Across England, LARC use has risen by nearly a quarter since the pandemic, reaching 54%
Pill use in England dropped from 39% to 28% over the same period

The contraceptive pill is now used by just 27% of women in Suffolk

Why it matters: Contraceptive choices are complex and often challenging for women. According to women's health website The Lowdown:

80% of women experience side effects from contraception, yet there's a lack of comprehensive clinical evidence and high-quality information.
33% of users feel they don't have enough time in GP appointments to discuss all their contraceptive options.
One-third of women in the UK lack easy or convenient access to contraception.

What they're saying: Tanya Lane, MSI UK's clinical excellence lead for Contraception and Sexual Health, said: "These figures show a significant increase in the popularity of long-acting methods, which may reflect the difficulty many are finding accessing GP surgeries and sexual health clinics."

Between the lines: Lane suggested several factors could be driving the trend:

Difficulty accessing GP surgeries and sexual health clinics.
Rising popularity of social media platforms like TikTok, where people share experiences with different contraceptives.
The cost of living crisis leading people to delay having children.

The figures also show a sharp rise in abortion-related contacts with sexual and reproductive services across England.

1,390 abortion-related contacts were recorded in Suffolk.
405 emergency contraceptives were provided in Suffolk, including 20 to under-16s.

What's next: The Department of Health and Social Care says it will prioritise women's health in its 10-year plan to reform the NHS, including shifting healthcare focus into the community.