Abstract
BackgroundContraceptive methods have rapidly evolved over the past several decades, but little research has explored how women interact with contraception over time. Exploring contraceptive beliefs, perceptions, and attitudes of women in midlife can reveal much about how lived experience affects contraceptive decisions and reproductive health choices.MethodsIndividual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 women between the ages of 40 and 55 who had not reached menopause and did not have a permanent method of sterilization. Data were coded using qualitative descriptive methods.ResultsThree major themes were identified: 1) journey toward empowerment; 2) finding the right fit: evolution over time; and 3) anticipating a transition. Past experiences with or fear of side effects and hormones were common reasons to change or avoid certain contraceptive methods. Most participants were happy with their contraceptive method; however, those who were unhappy were more likely to vocalize fatigue at continuing to need contraception as menopause approached.ConclusionApproaching contraceptive counseling from a place that considers the journey with contraception over a reproductive life span will help identify how beliefs, perceptions, and attitudes of women affect their contraceptive practices and choices.
Highlights
Contraceptive methods have rapidly evolved over the past several decades, but little research has explored how women interact with contraception over time
The field of contraception has undergone a remarkable evolution in the past several decades, so remarkable, that the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named family planning one of the success stories of public health in the twentieth century [1]
Overthe-counter contraception, ensuring parent consent is not required for any family planning service including abortion, and more targeted education in schools can help address this at the policy level [23,24,25]
Summary
Contraceptive methods have rapidly evolved over the past several decades, but little research has explored how women interact with contraception over time. Perceptions, and attitudes of women in midlife can reveal much about how lived experience affects contraceptive decisions and reproductive health choices. The field of contraception has undergone a remarkable evolution in the past several decades, so remarkable, that the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named family planning one of the success stories of public health in the twentieth century [1]. Whether women are trying newer methods, or whether their contraceptive choices are largely unaffected by contraceptive technology advances is not well understood. Information on how past experiences, both positive and negative, influence current contraceptive decision-making is limited.
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