Editorial

SECOND OF 2 PARTS

Let’s increase our use of implants
and DMPA and improve
contraceptive effectiveness
in this country

We do not use long-acting reversible contraceptives in the United States at the rate they are used in Europe, and we have a high unplanned pregnancy rate to show for it. Expanding the patient population to which we prescribe implants and depot medroxyprogesterone acetate could help us in our mission to decrease the number of unplanned pregnancies.

Editor in Chief
ROBERT.BARBIERI@QHC.COM

In the United States, approximately 49% of pregnancies are reported to be unplanned. From 1995 to 2008 the rate of unintended pregnancy decreased by 42% in Europe, but did not decrease at all in North America.¹ One factor contributing to the difference: in Europe, long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are more widely used than in North America. In the United States, increasing the use of LARCs would cause a decrease in the unplanned pregnancy rate.