Sexual orientation-related differences in contraceptive use: A brief report based on a cohort of adolescent and young women.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To examine contraceptive methods used by adolescent/young adult women of diverse sexual orientations.

Study design

We collected data from 12,902 females, born 1982-1995, from the longitudinal Growing Up Today Study.

Results

Compared to heterosexuals, lesbians were half as likely to use contraceptives; other sexual minority subgroups (e.g., bisexuals) were more likely to use contraceptives, particularly long-acting reversible contraceptives.

Conclusions

Many sexual minority women use contraception throughout adolescence/young adulthood, though use is low among lesbians.

Implications

With limited contraception use, lesbians miss opportunities for care and need to be brought into the healthcare system in other ways.

SUBMITTER: Charlton BM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7870535 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature