Suffolk sees surge in long-acting contraceptive use, mirroring 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

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.

Sources

• Sexual and Reproductive Health Services, England (Contraception), 2023-24
• Sexual and Reproductive Health Services (Contraception), England, 2018/19
• The Low Down