Women urged to spend time choosing contraception

Women spend up to five minutes choosing contraception but nearly half of them have suffered a pregnancy scare, new research claims.

Figures published by the Family Planning Association (FPA) today suggest almost one in three women in the UK aged 18-49 spend up to five minutes selecting their preferred contraception.

That is despite the fact 47 per cent have been in the position where they were or could have been pregnant when they did notwant to be.

Commenting on the findings, Julie Bentley, FPA chief executive, said: “Contraception is a massively important issue. We think women should be putting themselves first and spending time to make sure they’ve got the right method for them from the wide choice available.”

Ms Bentley claimed contraceptive choice for women is not simply a clinical decision – it is a lifestyle one too – and therefore should be promoted that way more than it is.

It is thought there are potentially two million women using a contraceptive method that they are not happy with and experts warn if someone is unhappy with their choice they are more likely to stop using it and put themselves at risk of pregnancy.

FPA’s new research also revealed that weight gain and mood swings are more important to women than their sex drive when deciding on contraception.