What's the research say? Contraceptives!

I read an interesting excerpt from an upcoming article in the journal "Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health".  I'll skip the technical details (you can click through to the study info below) and summarize what they've said:

[caption id="attachment_1221" align="alignright" width="244" caption="Sex Ed Central - Birth Control Basics"][/caption]

- in approximately 75% of relationships, the couple had used some sort of contraceptive the last time they had sex

- the longer and more intimate the relationship, the more likely the couple was to shift from barrier methods (i.e. condoms) to hormonal methods (such as the pill, patch, ring, IUS)

- overall contraceptive use doesn't decline in longer relationships; it shifts from one type (barrier) to another (hormonal) ... this suggests more of a focus on pregnancy rather than STIs in long-term relationships

 

If you're interested and would like to read more about this study, here's the link (FYI, the full article is available only through paid subscription):

Contraceptive Method Choice Shifts with Relationship Duration, Commitment Level