Contraceptives Among Young People: More Implants and IUDs, Fewer Pills

Young women in Norway are increasingly opting for long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), such as the contraceptive implant and hormonal intrauterine device (IUD), while the use of traditional birth control pills is declining, according to new statistics from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI).

The trend, observed over the past decade among women aged 16-24, shows a significant shift towards LARCs. These methods, which contain only the hormone progestogen, are favored by health authorities for their effectiveness and ease of use. Unlike daily pills, LARCs offer continuous protection against unintended pregnancy with minimal risk of user error.

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We see a shift in use towards long-acting contraceptives among young women, and this development is also recommended by health authorities. Hormonal IUDs and implants provide increased security against unwanted pregnancy and have fewer or no user errors compared to birth control pills, which must be taken daily.

Kari Furu, a senior researcher at FHI, noted that while hormonal contraception use remains high among women under 30, there has been a slight overall decrease since 2020. She suggested that this decline might be influenced by misinformation spread on social media, which has fueled myths about hormonal contraceptives.

Health authorities continue to endorse LARCs as a reliable and safe option for young women seeking to prevent pregnancy. The FHI's findings underscore a growing preference for contraceptive methods that offer greater certainty and convenience.

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The decline can be due to the influence of various social media platforms where a lot of myths have spread and it has been claimed that one should stop all use of hormonal contraception.