IUDs and Women's Contraceptive Decision-Making: Examining the Impact of Contraceptive Experiences, Reproductive Goals and Changing Life Circumstances on Contraceptive Choices

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White, Jessica

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University of Guelph

Abstract

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are considered the most effective form of birth control for reducing unintended pregnancies. Given this, contraceptive counselling and research focuses on how to increase IUD uptake amongst women. However, this approach assumes effectiveness is the most important consideration in women’s reproductive decision-making. This study examines how women in Ontario come to make choices about their preferred form of contraception and what factors are important to their decision-making process. I conducted a pattern-based qualitative analysis of 20 semi-structured interviews with women in Ontario. Based on this analysis, I argue that contraceptive decision-making involves the considerations of individual women’s goals, their experiences with previous forms of contraception, and the changing circumstances throughout their lives. The results suggest that the current emphasis solely on effectiveness and IUDs in women’s contraceptive counselling is inconsistent with how women make sense of contraception in the context of their day-to-day lives.

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contraception, IUDs, reproductive choices, women's health, qualitative, intrauterine devices, LARC, contraceptive decision making

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