Introduction to Female Contraception: Female Contraception

Think of contraception as a toolkit for life planning. It includes methods or devices that help prevent pregnancy, giving people the power to decide when—or if—they want to grow their family.

Beyond that, contraception can also protect against STIs.

Contraception helps reduce unplanned pregnancies, which means fewer health risks and more time to focus on personal and professional aspirations.

It’s also a cornerstone of gender equality, putting reproductive choices directly into the hands of individuals.

UNFPA reported that nearly half of all pregnancies globally, or 121 million each year, are unintended.

Over 60% of unintended pregnancies result in abortion, with 45% of these procedures being unsafe. Unsafe abortions account for up to 13% of maternal deaths, highlighting the critical role of contraception in protecting lives.

Contraception empowers individuals and communities. Nearly 59% of married women and 40% of unmarried women use contraceptives.

These choices help reduce unintended pregnancies, improve health outcomes, and support economic stability, creating healthier families and driving global progress.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to contraception. Female contraceptives are generally categorised into hormonal and non-hormonal methods.

Today, a variety of contraceptive options are available, offering both temporary and permanent solutions. We’ll explore these in detail in the second chapter.