Table 3.
Preferred contraceptive method use and reasons for non-use among current & prospective contraceptive users (ages 15–44) in a 2022 U.S. national sample.
| Weighted % | (95% CI) | Unweighted n | Population Estimate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Using preferred contraceptive method | ||||
| Yes | 59.3 | (56.3, 62.2) | 1291 | 19,200,886 |
| No | 25.2 | (22.6, 27.9) | 475 | 8,147,499 |
| Uncertain | 15.6 | (13.7, 17.7) | 353 | 5,043,999 |
| Among those not using a preferred contraceptive method | ||||
|
Weighted % |
Unweighted n |
Weighted % |
Unweighted n |
|
| First choice method respondent would rather be using | Method(s) currently usinga | |||
| No method | 2.1 | 7 | 32.1 | 144 |
| Oral contraceptive pill | 19.4 | 75 | 24.4 | 103 |
| Vasectomy | 14.2 | 99 | 1.5 | 9 |
| Hormonal IUD | 10.4 | 41 | 5.7 | 34 |
| Implant | 10.0 | 39 | 3.7 | 17 |
| Shot | 6.4 | 33 | 1.9 | 5 |
| Copper IUD | 6.3 | 34 | 1.5 | 9 |
| Patch | 6.2 | 24 | 0.8 | 3 |
| Tubal ligation or other permanent method | 5.6 | 40 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Ring | 3.5 | 17 | 0.6 | 5 |
| Fertility awareness | 2.6 | 11 | 6.4 | 38 |
| External condoms | 2.3 | 12 | 23.2 | 112 |
| Cervical cap | 1.3 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Phexxi | 1.0 | 6 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Spermicide | 0.4 | 1 | 0.3 | 2 |
| Withdrawal/pulling out | 0.3 | 2 | 32.2 | 139 |
| Internal condoms | 0.2 | 1 | 0.1 | 1 |
| Diaphragm | 0.1 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Another method | 0.2 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Sponge | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Emergency contraception | 0.0 | 0 | 2.6 | 11 |
| Don't know what method they'd like to use | 5.6 | 24 | – | – |
| Missing | 2.0 | 5 | – | – |
| Reason not using preferred methodb | ||||
| Concerns about side effects | 28.8 | 116 | ||
| Sex-related reasons (type, frequency, pleasure) | 25.1 | 110 | ||
| Logistics and knowledge barriers (can't get to location, not available, don't know where to get, problems when tried to obtain) | 18.6 | 95 | ||
| Concerns about safety | 18.3 | 68 | ||
| Cost-related reasons (can't afford it, another method is cheaper) | 17.6 | 93 | ||
| Interpersonal reasons (partner or family acceptability, secrecy) | 11.4 | 70 | ||
| Provider-related reasons (no trusted provider, provider suggestion) | 15.7 | 71 | ||
| Wants to get pregnant, have more children, or was recently pregnant | 2.3 | 15 | ||
| Concerns about effectiveness | 1.5 | 3 | ||
| Another reason | 11.6 | 61 | ||
| Not sure | 5.9 | 26 | ||
| Missing | 10.4 | 37 | ||
Note: Unweighted n = 2119. Subsample of those not using preferred method unweighted n = 475.
a
29.2% of respondents were currently using more than one contraceptive method.
b
Respondents may have provided multiple reasons for not using their preferred method.