Use of long acting reversible contraceptives in England 2020/21

Long acting reversible contraception (LARC) is a type of birth control that does not require the user to take any actions regarding contraception for the time that the LARC is in place. This makes LARCs a very effective type of birth control method. In England in 2020/21, among women in contact with sexual and reproductive health services, 46 percent were using LARC compared to user dependent contraceptives such as the pill or condoms. Of the 46 percent, 18 percent have the implant device, while the intrauterine system is used by 12 percent of women.

LARC use by age in England

The use of LARCs in England is more common in older women compared to younger women. In the period 2020/21, 56 percent of women in England aged between 35 and 44 years, who were in contact with sexual health services, were using a LARC, against 42 percent who were using user dependent contraception. In comparison, 40 percent of women aged 20 to 24 years in England were using LARCs.

Types of contraception used

Across the whole United Kingdom in 2018, the birth control pill was the most common method of contraception for women aged between 15 and 49 years, with 28 percent using it as their main method. Across Europe, the UK had the seventh highest share of women in the country using the pill as their main method of contraception, with Czechia having the highest share at 54 percent of women in the country using the pill.