Contraceptive problems unique to the United States.

Abstract

An overview of the distinctive milieu regarding contraceptive methods available in the U.S. considers declining method options, future prospects, reasons for the poor current climate, factors affecting future options, global ramifications, and proposed reforms that may improve the U.S. situation. In the last 3 years, the U.S. lost 3 safe IUDs, and lawsuits now threaten the existence of both spermicides and their associated barrier methods. Meanwhile 2 new IUDs and the cervical cap have been introduced. Future possible methods include Norplant, transdermal patches and a disposable spermicide-releasing diaphragm. The chief reason for loss of contraceptives is the legal system in the U.S. which permits peer juries to evaluate a method's side effects relative to the claimant's former health, rather than actual risk- benefit ratios or medical data. Adverse legal decisions have escalated or eliminated liability insurance. The public is ignorant of the benefits of contraceptives, but misinformed by prominent coverage in the media of preliminary adverse findings. Even the F.D.A., for unstated political reasons, has failed on 2 occasions to approve Depo-Provera, used safely in over 80 countries and approved by the drug agencies of most western nations. Other political factors have cut government funding for contraceptive development steadily for 15 years. Apathy for contraceptive research extends from congress to donor support to numbers of new Ph.D.s entering the field. Ramifications include the highest unplanned pregnancy rate, abortion rate and adolescent pregnancy rate in the developed world in the U.S., and a suspicious stance on the part of developed countries toward U.S. contraceptives, especially those not approved here. Proposed ways of reversing the legal and insurance blocks include reform of tort law and no-fault compensation decided by arbitration.