Évolution des pratiques contraceptives en France, impact social et démographique

The medicalization of contraception, started in the 1960s, represents a milestone in the modernization of our society, enabling women to control their own fertility. The diffusion of medical methods of contraception, used by 84% of all contraceptive users, has contributed to the reduction of the proportion of pregnancies qualified as unintended. The generalization of medical contraception has also brought new norms, in particular the pressing need to plan the birth calendar. Contraceptive choices essentially depend on the life cycle, which reflects a narrowing of practices around a contraceptive norm more prevailing today. This contraceptive norm however, does not translate in optimal typical use efficacy, such as one in three pregnancy is reported to be unintended in 2000. Theses contraceptive failures reflect the difficulties women experience in their daily management of contraception. These difficulties are also highlighted by high contraceptive discontinuation rates or changes in contraceptive practices as well as non-adherence to the contraceptive regimens, resulting in lower contraceptive efficacy.