Use of contraception by Spanish women after delivery. [Hábitos anticonceptivos tras el parto en las mujeres españolas.]

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Abstract

Objective: To study peripartum use of contraception in women taking long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs). Material and methods: Observational, cross-sectional, multicenter, nationwide study of women of reproductive age (18-49 years) attending a gynecology clinic to request LARCs for the first time or to restart treatment. Results: The study population comprised 1,660 patients (1,657 evaluable), with a mean (SD) age of 38.6 (5.7) years. Most already had children (1.9 [0.7] children/patient). During the previous 5 years, 44% of the patients had been pregnant; this was unintended in 10.3% of cases. The main contraceptive method used during the first year after the last delivery was the condom (42.7%), followed by oral contraceptives (16.2%), levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine devices (7.5%), and the vaginal ring (6.5%). We found that 14.4% of women did not use any contraceptive method during the first year after delivery. Conclusions: LARCs, which are highly effective and easy to apply, continue to be underused after delivery in Spain.