More than 150 fewer emergency contraceptives provided to Hertfordshire women before pandemic

Lifestyle changes could account for decline
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More than 150 fewer emergency contraceptives were provided to women in Hertfordshire through sexual health services last year, new figures reveal.

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service says lifestyle changes among younger women could be driving down demand for the morning-after pill across England.

But the decline may suggest those who do need emergency contraception are finding it harder to access after deep cuts to services, the charity warns.

Lifestyle changes could account for the declineLifestyle changes could account for the decline
Lifestyle changes could account for the decline

Around 1,145 emergency contraceptives were provided to women in Hertfordshire by sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in 2019-20, NHS Digital data shows.

This was down from 1,325 the previous year, although it was more than the 1,005 items prescribed in 2014-15, when local figures were first published.

Emergency contraception can be the morning-after pill or an intrauterine device – often called the coil, which is inserted into the womb to stop the egg developing.

The figures cover services including family planning and community contraception clinics, and young people’s advice centres, and are rounded to the nearest five for confidentiality.

About 55 items were provided to under-16s in Hertfordshire last year, compared to 50 in 2018-19.

Katherine O'Brien, associate director of campaigns at BPAS, said the sharp national drop among younger women in recent years could be down to lifestyle trends.

She said: “Our research has found that teenagers' patterns of social interaction – often with their families, often online, combined with lower levels of alcohol intake – may be impacting on their likelihood of engaging in sexual activity, and therefore their need to access emergency contraception.”

Younger people are also focused on their education, aware of economic challenges, and value responsibility and maturity when it comes to alcohol consumption and sex, the report found.

Ms O’Brien said the overall decline seen in SRH services reflects the barriers women face when trying to access emergency contraception.

She said it was no coincidence that the decrease was accompanied by “deep funding cuts”, which have led to some services closing altogether, reduced opening hours, and restrictions on who can use services.

According to research by BPAS, the mandatory consultation required to buy emergency contraception in pharmacies is also a “real barrier to access” – a situation made worse by the pandemic as sales fell sharply at the start of lockdown.

Ms O’Brien added: “Taken together these figures present a truly worrying picture of emergency contraceptive provision, suggesting that women are finding it harder and harder to obtain it. We urgently need action to rectify this.”