How Often and Why Do Women Discontinue their Contraceptive Method?: Results from a French Population-Based Survey

Caroline Moreau, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)
Jean Bouyer, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)
Nathalie Bajos, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)
Germán Rodríguez, Princeton University
James Trussell, Princeton University

Contraceptive discontinuation is thought to be a significant factor contributing to unintended pregnancy. We use data from the Cocon Study (2000-2004), a population-based French cohort, comprising a representative sample of 2,863 women aged 18-44, to examine probabilities of contraceptive discontinuation and reasons why women discontinue their method. Random effect hazards models were used to estimate probabilities of discontinuation during the 4 years of follow-up. Results: Discontinuation for method-related reasons varied widely by contraceptive: IUDs were associated with the lowest probabilities of discontinuation (10% within 12 months, 28% within 4 years), followed by the pill (23% and 52%, respectively). Condoms (45% and 87%, respectively) and fertility awareness-based methods (50% and 99%, respectively) exhibited the highest risk of discontinuation. In further analyses, we will examine possible variations in discontinuation by method composition (for IUDs and pills). Likewise, we will examine the reasons for contraceptive disruption (including side effects and method failure).