Nearly Half Of Women On The Pill Are Not Sure Which Type Of Pill They Are Taking
According to a MORI Social Research Institute survey for Organon around two in five women (43%) on the pill, are not sure which pill type they are actually taking. The two types of pill available are combined contraceptives (containing oestrogen and progestogen), commonly referred to as COCs, and progestogen-only pills (POPs), sometimes termed 'the mini-pill'.
According to a MORI Social Research Institute survey for Organon around two in five women (43%) on the pill, are not sure which pill type they are actually taking. The two types of pill available are combined contraceptives (containing oestrogen and progestogen), commonly referred to as COCs, and progestogen-only pills (POPs), sometimes termed 'the mini-pill'.
Women are most likely to choose the pill for its effectiveness at preventing pregnancy but that they are largely unaware of the differing modes of action of the pill types for achieving this.
Under half of women taking the pill feel that they are given adequate choice in their selection of contraceptive pill and only half feel they have enough information about the pill options open to them
Technical details
The MORI Study was conducted among a representative sample of 682 women aged 16-55 to assess their awareness levels of progestogen-only and combined pills. Interviews were conducted face-to-face, in-home between 31 December 2003 and 4 January 2004 across GB. The study was commissioned by Brook and funded by Organon Laboratories.
Topline Results
- 682 women aged 16-55 across Great Britain
- Interviews carried out face-to-face in home
- Fieldwork was conducted between 31 December 2003 - 4 January 2004
- Results based on all (682), unless otherwise stated
- Results are weighted to the known population profile
- An asterisk (*) denotes a finding of less than 0.5%, but greater than zero
- Where figures do not add up to 100, this is due to multiple coding or computer rounding
Q1 On this screen is a list of possible ways of preventing pregnancy. Which, if any, is the current main method that you and your partner generally use? If you generally use more than one method, please select all those which apply. Base: all women (682)
| 2001 (1) | 2003 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % | % | |||
| No method being used - trying to get pregnant | 3 | 2 | ||
| Been sterilised / Partner been sterilised | 23 | 11 | ||
| No method needed - no sexual partner | 6 | 5 | ||
| No method used | 9 | 4 | ||
| Go without sexual intercourse to avoid pregnancy | 1 | 1 | ||
| Withdrawal method | 1 | 1 | ||
| Safe period / Rhythm method | 2 | 2 | ||
| Condom / sheath | 16 | 19 | ||
| The progestogen only pill (mini pill or P.O.P) | 4 | 4 | } | 23% |
| The combined pill (or C.O.C) | 11 | 11 | ||
| The pill (not sure of type) | 12 | 10 | ||
| The coil / IUD / Intra-uterine device | 5 | 6 | ||
| The cap / diaphragm | 1 | 2 | ||
| Injections | 3 | 6 | ||
| Contraceptive sponge | * | 1 | ||
| Spermicides (foams / sprays / gels / pessaries) | * | * | ||
| Another method | * | * | ||
| Not applicable | 8 | 14 | ||
| Refused / no answer | 3 | 13 | ||
| Don't know | - | 7 | ||
Q2 Which, if any, of the following are the main reasons you chose to take the contraceptive pill over other forms of contraception? You may choose up to 3. Base: all women taking the pill (154)
| % | |
|---|---|
| Reassurance that I won't get pregnant | 73 |
| Will not reduce my fertility in the future | 3 |
| To regulate my monthly cycle | 33 |
| Increased control of my periods | 24 |
| Protection from ovarian cancer | 4 |
| To manage pre-menstrual tension (PMT) | 18 |
| Other | 4 |
| None of these | 3 |
| Don't know | 1 |
Q3 Which, if any, of the following are the most important factors to you in choosing between different types of contraceptive pill? You may choose up to 3. Base: all women taking the pill (154)
| % | |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness in preventing pregnancy | 53 |
| Has lower levels of hormones | 10 |
| Fewest side effects | 43 |
| Least likely to worsen a medical problem I already have / am prone to | 7 |
| Safer for smokers | 7 |
| Can be taken whilst breast feeding | 4 |
| Won't increase my weight | 18 |
| Will not reduce my fertility in the future | 22 |
| None of these | 6 |
| Don't know | 3 |
Q4 What, if anything, do you know about the Progestogen-Only Pill, also known as the P.O.P or 'mini-pill'? Base: all women (682)
| % | |
|---|---|
| Does not contain oestrogen / Only contains progestogen | 9 |
| Contains oestrogen and progestogen | 2 |
| Contains fewer hormones | 3 |
| Must be taken at around same time every day | 9 |
| Can be used in women who are breast feeding | 3 |
| Suitable for older women | 2 |
| Suitable for women who smoke | 2 |
| Not suitable for women over a certain weight | 1 |
| Is more reliable than the C.O.C or 'combined' pill | 1 |
| Can be less reliable than the C.O.C or combined pill | 2 |
| Is less reliable than the C.O.C or 'combined' pill | 3 |
| Offers good control over periods / cycle | 4 |
| Can make you/Makes you put weight on | 3 |
| Prevents pregnancy | 1 |
| Reduces risk of thrombosis | 1 |
| Affects your hormones | 1 |
| Higher risk of thrombosis | * |
| Other | 3 |
| Nothing | 34 |
| Don't know | 28 |
| Refused | 8 |
Q5 What, if anything, do you know about the C.O.C or 'Combined' pill? Base: all women (682)
| % | |
|---|---|
| Does not contain oestrogen / Only contains progestogen | 1 |
| Contains oestrogen and progestogen | 11 |
| Contains fewer hormones | 2 |
| Must be taken at around same time every day | 7 |
| Can be used in women who are breast feeding | 1 |
| Suitable for older women | * |
| Suitable for women who smoke | 1 |
| Not suitable for women over a certain weight | 1 |
| Is more reliable than the Progestogen-only or P.O.P pill | 4 |
| Can be less reliable than the Progestogen-only or P.O.P pill | * |
| Is less reliable than the Progestogen-only or P.O.P pill | 1 |
| Offers good control over periods / cycle | 4 |
| Can make you/Makes you put weight on | 4 |
| Prevents pregnancy | 2 |
| Reduces risk of thrombosis | 0 |
| Affects your hormones | * |
| Higher risk of thrombosis | * |
| Other | 6 |
| Nothing | 36 |
| Don't know | 30 |
| Refused | 7 |
Q6 Which, if any, of the following describe how the Progestogen-Only Pill (P.O.P), or 'mini' pill, prevents pregnancy? Please code as many as you think apply. Base: all women (682)
| % | |
|---|---|
| It thickens cervical mucus / Helps stop sperm getting to the fallopian tubes | 12 |
| It can help stop an egg implanting in the lining of the womb | 15 |
| It stops eggs being released from the ovaries (ovulation inhibition) | 16 |
| Nothing | 7 |
| Don't know | 58 |
Q7 Which, if any, of the following describe how the 'combined' pill (or C.O.C), prevents pregnancy? Please code as many as you think apply. Base: all women (682)
| % | |
|---|---|
| It thickens cervical mucus / Helps stop sperm getting to the fallopian tubes | 11 |
| It can help stop an egg implanting in the lining of the womb | 17 |
| It stops eggs being released from the ovaries (ovulation inhibition) | 19 |
| Nothing | 8 |
| Don't know | 55 |
Q8 Two statements will now be shown to you, and we would like you to tell us to what extent you agree or disagree with each one? Base: Base: all women taking the pill (154)
| Strongly agree | Tend to agree | Neither agree nor disagree | Tend to disagree | Strongly disagree | None of these | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % | % | % | % | % | % | |
| I have an adequate understanding of the different types of Pill available | 13 | 37 | 24 | 12 | 6 | 9 |
| I was given an adequate choice of the different types of contraceptive pill available. | 18 | 28 | 22 | 15 | 8 | 8 |
Q9 Which one of the following applies to you? Base: all women (682)
| % | |
|---|---|
| Married | 46 |
| Living together | 14 |
| In a long-term relationship, but not married and not living together | 7 |
| Single | 23 |
| Widowed | 2 |
| Divorced | 5 |
| Separated | 2 |
| Refused | 2 |
