LARCs hold key to reducing unplanned pregnancy rate

Dr. Espey said that it is important to focus first and foremost on LARC methods when counseling a patient about contraception.

"So often I think we approach contraceptive counseling as if we have to tell everybody about all the methods as if they were all equal, but in other kinds of medication we would naturally lean toward recommending methods that are most highly effective," she said.

For contraception, that’s intrauterine devices and implants, she added.

Dr. Peipert agreed, noting, "If we had a pill for hypertension that was 20-fold less effective, we wouldn’t offer it first line."

Not only are LARC methods the most effective contraceptive methods, but under the right circumstances they also have a high rate of acceptability, as demonstrated by the CHOICE Project, he said.

They also have the potential to dramatically reduce health care costs.

"We believe that family planning saves dollars. We spend over $11 billion each year on unintended pregnancy. No-cost contraception and wide access to contraception can prevent unintended pregnancy and save health care dollars," he said, adding that every dollar spent on family planning can save $3 or $4 down the road – and because of their effectiveness, the savings are even greater with LARC use.

"We really have an opportunity to impact public health. It’s been decades where we’ve been stuck at a rate of unintended pregnancy in the U.S. of close to 50%, and now, if we can shift our emphasis to LARC methods, I think we will finally see a reduction in unintended pregnancies," he said.

Dr. Espey and Dr. Ogburn reported having no disclosures. Dr. Peipert has received research funding from Bayer and Merck. The CHOICE Project was funded by an anonymous donation.