Hormone implant use rises five-fold, contraception figures show

NHS data shows that the number of women using hormone implants for contraception has risen five-hold in five years but the popularity of condoms is declining. Using the condom as their main form of contraception fell from 30% to 25%. The implants are especially popular with younger women and teenagers.  The figure shows that 5 years ago only 1% of girls and women aged 16-19 on some form of contraception say they prefer an implant now it is 10%.

According to sexual health experts the shift shows us that women are increasingly choosing the most effective form of contraception and are demonstrating more responsibility in their sexual behaviour. The implants cost £90 to fit,  work three years and have higher success rates than condoms or the pill.

Local NHS primary care trusts have realised that implants are cheaper and more effective than the pill. More nurses have been trained to fit them and there is more education at school that is why the use is increasing.

The popularity of this implants may be explained that they are invisible, unlike condoms or the pill. Some teenagers choose it so that parents do not know they have a regular form of contraception.

Gillian Vanhegan, a medical spokeswoman for Brook, said that it is not a coincidence that this news comes out at the same time that the lowest teenage pregnancy figures for 20 years were released last week and that the two are obviously linked.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/dec/03/hormone-implants-contraception-condoms

My opinion: Teenage pregnancy is a big problem in the UK, so I think this is good news. This implants has a lot of benefits because there is no need to think about the pill every morning and it is invisible. I think that is also the main reason why teenagers choose this contraception. Women who choose this implants must be aware of the fact that this does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. This might encourage irresponsible behaviour or explain the rise in infections. I think the only reason more women have it is an awareness issue. I think that is why it is so important that school must educate students about sexual health.