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The Modernization of U.S. Contraceptive Practice
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1972
Year
Contraceptive UseHormonal ContraceptiveContraceptive PracticeFertilityOral ContraceptiveContraceptive DiscontinuationReproductive HealthGynecologyContraceptive CoercionFamily PlanningReproductive EpidemiologyContraceptionEffective DiaphragmReproductive MedicinePublic HealthSexual And Reproductive HealthPregnancy PreventionInfertilityHealth PolicyHormonal Male ContraceptionFertility PolicyNational Fertility StudiesFertility TrackingSexual HealthAbortionContraception AccessContraceptive UptakeProbability SamplesDemographyMedicineWomen's Health
The National Fertility Studies of 1965–1970 revealed a shift in contraceptive method distribution among married women. Between 1965 and 1970, use of the pill and IUD rose sharply, sterilization increased, older methods fell, and the proportion of couples employing highly protective contraception climbed to 80%, cutting unwanted births by up to 56% among black women.
The National Fertility Studies between 1965 and 1970 involving probability samples of 4810 and 5884 married women indicated changes in the distribution of contraceptive methods used by couples. The proportion of couples who never used contraception declined from 14.8% to 11.1% between 1965 and 1970 while those not using contraceptives decreased from 36.1% to 34.9%. Although there was little change in the overall proportions of couples using contraception (63.9% to 65%) there was an increase in the use of the pill (23.9%-34.2%) and IUD (1.2%-7.4%). Sterilization also increased significantly for older couples (9.5%-13.1% for women 6.5%-12.1% for men) and for blacks with less than a high school education (10.8%-31.6% overall). Older methods excluding foam declined: condom (21.9%-14.2%) diaphragm 9.9%-5.7%) rhythm (10.9%-6.4%). The consequence of the new contraceptive distribution showed a dramatic decline of unwanted births per 1000 woman-years (35% for whites 56% for blacks). The 3 most effective methods sterilization the pill and the IUD have increased from 37.2% to 57.9% of all contraceptive practice and if added to the effective diaphragm and condom 4 out of 5 couples using contraception in 1970 were highly protected.