Study reveals the most popular forms of contraception in America

New research has revealed the most popular forms of contraception in America, with the intrauterine device (IUD) taking the top spot.  

Legal company High Rise Legal Funding analysed the average number of monthly Google searches in the U.S. over the past 12 months for over 100 search terms related to 39 different forms of contraception. These search terms included phrases such as ‘condom effectiveness,’ and ‘effectiveness of birth control pill,’ to identify which contraceptive methods are the most popular.

The intrauterine device (IUD) takes the top spot, with 281,903 average monthly Google searches. The term ‘intrauterine device,’ is searched 271,860 times each month alone. Searches for the IUD account for 15% of all contraception-related searches in the US, and it is the most popular contraceptive in 38 states. Utah searches for the IUD the most, with 108 average monthly searches per 100,000 citizens.

Condoms rank second, with 275,782 average monthly searches. The term ‘condom’ has 266,148 average monthly searches alone. Searches for condoms make up 14.7% of contraception-related searches, ranking number one in 12 states. The state most interested in this contraceptive is California, with 104 average monthly searches per 100,000 citizens.

Vasectomy is third, with 243,207 average monthly searches. ‘Vasectomy’ is searched 240,583 times per month on average. Searches for this contraceptive method account for 13% of all contraception-related searches in the US. The state searching for vasectomies the most is Arizona, with 79 average monthly searches per 100,00 citizens.

The most searched forms of contraception in the US

The morning after pill ranks fourth, with 210,290 average monthly searches. It ranks fourth in 46 states, accounting for 11.2% of all contraception-related searches in the country. Texas is the state most interested in the morning after pill, with an average of monthly searches per 100,000 citizens.

The birth control pill comes in fifth, with 139,654 average monthly searches. It ranks fifth in 48 states overall, making up 7.4% of all searches about contraception. The state most interested in the birth control pill is Texas, with 51 average monthly searches per 100,000 citizens.

The female condom is sixth, with 115,652 average monthly searches. ‘Female condom’ is searched 113,967 times per month on average. This contraceptive ranks fifth in 46 states, accounting for 6.2% of all contraception-related searches. Georgia is the most interested in female condoms, with 47 monthly searches per 100,000 citizens.

NuvaRing is seventh, with an average of 85,255 average monthly searches. Searches for the NuvaRing make up 4.5% of all contraception-related searches in the U.S.

The birth control patch ranks eighth, with 78,500 average monthly searches. Searches for the birth control patch make up 4.2% of all contraception-related searches in the U.S.

Tubal ligation is ninth, with 73,826 average monthly searches. Searches for tubal ligation make up 3.9% of all contraception-related searches in the U.S.

The birth control implant rounds out the top ten, with 64,950 average monthly searches. Searches for the birth control implant make up 3.5% of all contraception-related searches in the U.S.

New York searches for contraception the most, with 601 average monthly Google searches for terms related to contraceptive methods per 100,000 citizens. Closely following are California and Texas, with 583 and 571 monthly searches per 100,000 citizens, respectively.

A spokesperson from High Rise Legal Funding has commented: “Looking at the most popular contraceptives among Americans, it is interesting to see so many long-term options in the ranking, from the IUD to tubal ligation, suggesting a preference for longer-term contraceptives.

“It is also interesting to see male-focused contraceptives, such as condoms and vasectomies, so high in the ranking. This suggests a growing acceptance of male responsibility in reproductive health, with contraception traditionally being seen as a woman’s duty.

“Hopefully, this research will encourage people to join the ongoing conversation about reproductive health and discover which contraceptive options are the best for them.”

Source: High Rise Legal Funding, a pre-settlement legal funding company.

Staff Writer