The Cost of Contraceptives Report
This report has been created by the SHARE campaign team to discuss current lived experiences of contraceptives and to gain insight of current cost and financial impacts contraceptives have.
This report displays the current usage of contraceptives amongst participants, the economic disparity, as well as systemic barriers to accessing contraceptives which are felt by participants.
Our data exemplifies the need for action in this space and a series of recommendations including governmental and legislative reform, healthcare workforce training, reorienting sexual health education and creating accountability measures.
Key findings:
11.6% of respondents reported not using contraception in the last 6 months, of which 15% primarily did not use contraception due to cost.
2 in 5 respondents reported that the cost of contraception limited their choices.
Nearly 2 in 5 shared that they had had to pause or switch to cheaper contraceptives.
35% of respondents could not afford their preferred contraceptive method.
69% of respondents indicated they had experienced negative side effects because of contraceptive use.
Participants shared that the cost of contraception caused negative effects, reduced their contraceptive options and limited their ability to continue or start using contraception.
The cost of contraception was also used as a means and excuse of bodily control and reproductive coercion, with one respondent mentioning how an ex-partner had pressured them into buying a progesterone-only pill as it was cheaper for him than condoms.