BPAS: ‘Be as spontaneous as you like.
Thousands of couples ask the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) about the most reliable contraceptive methods each year. Research shows the failure rate in ‘typical use’ of the oral contraceptive Pill, the UK’s most commonly-used method, is 8%. The ‘typical use’ failure rate of the condom, the next most frequently-used method, is even higher at 15%. This causes many unintended pregnancies every year. It is estimated that in total about 30% of pregnancies are unplanned in the UK.
Many couples would prefer to use a ‘fit and forget’ method which they don’t have to think about every time they have sex. Traditional contraceptive methods require planning before use, and some feel this can get in the way of spontaneity with their partner. Many women say they would value the peace of mind of several years of highly effective protection from pregnancy, plus the flexibility of returning to normal fertility as soon as the method is removed.
For this reason, BPAS is encouraging women to come in to their local BPAS clinic to ask about the new long-lasting methods of contraception which offer exactly such benefits- such as contraceptive injections, which work for up to 12 weeks and can be repeated; intrauterine devices (IUDs) and the intrauterine system (IUS), (tiny contraceptive devices which rest just inside the womb, lasting for 5-10 years) and contraceptive implants, (inserted just under the skin, usually in the upper arm, lasting for 3 years). These methods are among the most effective at preventing pregnancy- IUS have a ‘typical use’ failure rate of just 0.1% and the implants have a ‘typical use’ failure rate of 0.3%.BPAS can provide women with a choice of these new ‘long-acting reversible contraceptive’ (LARC) methods, as well as the full range of other contraceptive methods, after an impartial discussion with an expert health professional to find the best method for each individual.
For Valentine’s Day, BPAS is launching a poster campaign to raise public awareness of LARCs. Uptake of LARC is still low in Great Britain, at around 8% of women aged 16-49 in 2003-04 using LARCs, compared with 25% on the Pill and 23% using male condoms.
After the endorsement of LARCs by NICE, NHS Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are increasingly funding providers in different settings to offer LARCs. Women can now call BPAS on 0845 365 5050 to ask about the availability of having a LARC fitted by a BPAS clinic in their area, paid for by their local NHS. In terms of preventing unintended pregnancies, LARC methods are more cost-effective for the NHS to provide than the traditional contraceptive pill.
Ann Furedi, Chief Executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) said today:
‘When sex is hot no one wants to think about contraception, which is why the fit-it-and-forget methods are such a great option for passionate couples. Women who have unwanted pregnancies often do use contraception- but it’s not easy to remember to take the pill every day and sometimes it’s hard to have the willpower to stop and use a condom. Contraceptive implants, IUDs and injections allow seamless sex and also give the best pregnancy-protection.’
Notes
BPAS offers non-directive information and advice on all forms of contraception and provides contraception free under contract to the NHS. Women can call BPAS on 0845 365 5050 to ask about the availability of having a LARC fitted by a BPAS clinic in their area, paid for by their local NHS.
‘LARC’ describes methods that users do not have to think about every day, or every time they have sex, as they would with methods such as the Pill or condoms. If users decide they want to try to get pregnant and remove their LARC, normal fertility returns afterwards. LARC methods are only for women- currently there are no long-acting reversible contraceptives for men.
LARC methods include:
contraceptive injections, which work for up to 12 weeks and can be repeated,
contraceptive devices that rest just inside the womb – intrauterine devices (IUDs) and the intrauterine system (IUS), which last for between 5 and 10 years, and can be replaced after this.
Contraceptive implants placed under the skin (usually in the upper arm), which last for 3 years, and can be replaced after this.
(http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/cg030publicinfo.pdf)
It is estimated that about 30% of pregnancies are unplanned. The uptake of LARC is low in Great Britain, at around 8% of women aged 16-49 in 2003-04. (http://www.nice.org.uk/usingguidance/optimalpracticereviewrecommendationreminders/optimal_practice_review_recommendation_reminders_detail.jsp?o=5)
‘Fit and forget’ LARC methods are generally suitable for women of any age, including those who have never had a baby, those who have recently had a baby, are breastfeeding, or have recently had an abortion; those who are overweight, have diabetes, epilepsy, migraines, are HIV-positive, or who can’t tolerate other hormonally-based contraceptives. For information about different LARC methods’ advantages, disadvantages, perfect and ‘typical’ use failure rates, please see the BPAS website http://test.bpas.org/js/filemanager/files/longacting_contraception.pdf
No method of contraception is 100% effective. American researchers recently found the ‘typical use’ failure rate of the condom to be 15%, compared to a 2% failure rate with ‘perfect use’. The ‘real world’ failure rate of the contraceptive pill is 8%. (See Table 2 of ‘Reducing Unintended Pregnancy in the United States’ ,’Contraception’ Editorial January 2008, Association of Reproductive Health Professionals.)
According to the Office of National Statistics, the most commonly used contraceptive in the UK is the oral contraceptive pill. In 2007/08, three-quarters of women in the 16-49 age group reported using some form of contraception, with 28 per cent of women using the pill, compared with 24 per cent who relied on the male condom. http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/csh1008.pdf
LARC methods protect well against pregnancy, but offer no protection against STIs. Couples and women are counselled that they will need to use a barrier method (such as a condom) to help protect against STIs if they are exposed to any risk of this.
BPAS, (the British Pregnancy Advisory Service) is a registered charity since 1968, and the UK’s leading not-for-profit sexual and reproductive healthcare provider. More than 90% of BPAS’ services are carried out under contract to the NHS and so are free for clients to access. Typical non-NHS funded clients may have travelled from the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland or Italy, locations where access to safe, legal abortion remains restricted by law. BPAS has centres across England, Wales and Scotland and has a commitment to being a research-led organisation. Please see www.bpas.org for further information.
For more information, to request an interview with the BPAS Chief Executive Ann Furedi, or BPAS family planning expert, or to request a hi-res image of the BPAS poster, please contact the BPAS press office on 020 7612 0206 or 07788 725 185.
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