Study Finds that with an Increase in Contraceptive Supplies Unplanned Pregnancy Rates are Much Lower

A study performed by UCSF said Diana Greene Foster, PhD, lead author and associate professor in the UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences. "Providing one cycle of oral contraceptives at a time is similar to asking people to visit a clinic or pharmacy to renew their seatbelts each month. The rates of unplanned pregnancies and abortions decreased significantly when women receive a one-year supply of oral contraceptives, instead of being prescribed one- or three-month supplies.

The Study

The study looked at 84,401 women who received oral contraceptives in January 2006 through Family PACT (Planning, Access, Care, Treatment), a California family planning program, to Medi-Cal data showing pregnancies and births in 2006. Through Family PACT, some family planning clinics are able to dispense a one-year supply of pills on-site this showed a decrease in unplanned pregnancies in these women.

Conclusion

If women are given the opportunity to get a full year’s supply of birth control pills, they are less likely to become pregnant. If a woman runs out of pills at the end of the month or the end of a three-month period and is ill or cannot make it to the pharmacy for any reason to pick up the contraceptives that increases the risk automatically of an unplanned pregnancy.

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110223092408.htm