Is The Pill Falling Out Of Favour With Women?

More women than ever are turning away from the pill and condoms in favour of 'long-acting reversible contraceptives' (LARCS) such as the coil and implant.

According to new figures from the NHS, while the pill remains the most commonly used form of contraceptive accessed through sexual health services, its usage has decreased in the last 10 years. Prescriptions though GPs have also fallen, reports the BBC.

The new study shows that women are switching to LARCS, which include the coil, implant and injectable contraceptive. In 2007, 21 per cent of women were accessing LARCS though sexual health services. By 2017, that figure has increased to 39 per cent.

Dr Anatole Menon-Johansson, of Guy's and St Thomas' hospital and the young person's sexual health charity Brook, says that running out of the pill was the most common reason for turning to LARCS. He also says that LARCS are more effective in terms of preventing unwanted pregnancies. While the contraceptive is 99 per cent effective in theory, with typical use that falls to about 91 per cent, according to the NHS.

The pill has also been linked to having a negative impact on mental health. Although researchers could not prove a causal link, a 2016 study reported that more women had depression who were on the pill than those not using it.

Ella Alexander

Ella Alexander is Harper’s Bazaar's Deputy Digital Editor. She writes across all sections, covering fashion, arts and feminism – from fashion features and shopping galleries to celebrity interviews and long-form opinion pieces. She lives in South London and has an ardent love for Keith Richards, Gary Barlow, AA Gill, George Orwell and Patti Smith (not in order). Her favourite film is The Labyrinth, mostly because of David Bowie, and she is distinguishable through her self-titled ‘Jeremy Corbyn baker boy hat’. She recently achieved relative fame after the Clooneys named their twins, Ella and Alexander, after her.