Trends in fertility and contraception in the last quarter of the 20th century


26/07/13

Contraception is the deliberate prevention of conception or impregnation. The contraceptive pill contains oestrogen and progesterone to inhibit ovulation and so prevent conception. It remains the most popular contraceptive method in the UK after becoming available in the mid-1960s.

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Above is a link to a National Statistics paper by Bev Botting and Karen Dunnell from demography and health national statistics on 'Trends in fertility and contraception in the last quarter of the 20th century.' (2010) 

Source: ONS.'Trends in fertility and contraception in the last quarter of the 20th century.' 2010. 
Figure 6 shows the trends in contraception use between 1976-98. The Pill is the most popular method of contraception with 28% of women using it in the mid 70s and 80s. Usage then fell, however, and has never reached the same levels. Figure 6 also shows the percentage of women who themselves or partners were sterilised for contraceptive purposes. Sterilisation rose in popularity in the 190s and has remained as popular, overtaking the Pill as the most common contraceptive method for women over 30. This rise in the popularity in sterilisation is attributed to the 100% prevention rate of the Pill, raising the 'standard for the acceptability of other contraceptives' in Dr Marks book 'Sexual Chemistry: a history of the contraceptive pill' (2001). The health risks associated with the Pill also contributed to the rise in sterilisation, which became more common than the pill and IUD worldwide in the 1980s. Sterilisation became an 'obvious alternative' to those scared of the health risks, who had already 'previously used oral contraceptives and no longer planned to have children.' 
Source: ONS.'Trends in fertility and contraception in the last quarter of the 20th century.' 2010. 
Source: NHS Choices website, NHS in 1960s
Figure 7 shows the Pill usage by age-group in Great Britain, 1976-98. There has been 'little variation over time in the level of use by women in most age groups.' 

The NHS Choices website  tells us that initially the pill was only available to married women, the law relaxed in 1967. 'Between 1962 and 1969, the number of women taking the pill rises dramatically, from approximately 50,000 to 1 million.' 

The Pill remains most popular among the younger age groups, particularly those aged aged 16-29. This popularity with the younger demographic is interesting as it suggests that women would go on the pill the years where education is important, maybe establishing a career, before having children. 

 This source was really useful as it explored the popularity of the Pill agreeing with the data presented in Dr Mark's book. As a National Statistics paper the information is likely to be accurate. 

It would be interesting to combine the data on the popularity of the pill among university students and those not pursuing further education, if possible to help stress the importance of the pill in enabling women to access higher education. 

NHS Choices website: (http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/thenhs/nhshistory/Pages/NHShistory1960s.aspx)