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A recent Ifop study takes stock of contraception for young girls aged 15 to 24, belonging to the new generation known as Gen Z. What is their relationship with the pill? Their selection criteria? Their obstacles to using it? Let’s take stock of these questions.
Whether for contraceptive purposes, to regulate their cycle or to combat menstrual pain, oral contraception seems to be well accepted by young girls aged 15 to 24, belonging to Gen Z. According to a recent Ifop study, 94% of young women using oral contraception are satisfied with their method of contraception.
Very broad satisfaction among young girls for their method of contraception
When all methods of contraception are included, the figure varies little, as 90% of them say they are equally satisfied with their method of contraception, whatever it is. However, the pill is popular with almost one in two young girls because of its ease of use.
As for the reasons, young girls still choose the pill:
- 83% for its contraceptive effect;
- 61% to regulate their cycle;
- and 60% to reduce their pain.
What are the obstacles that persist?
Although a large majority (86%) of young girls consider the pill to be a “very effective” form of contraception and three-quarters consider it “comfortable”, there is still a significant proportion of respondents who believe that it presents health risks (79%), or nearly eight out of ten respondents.
They cite the following obstacles in particular: “effects on the body”, “health risks” and the fact that “it is not natural enough”. Similarly, 68% of young women consider it too restrictive, with too great a risk of forgetting.
Is the spouse involved in this choice?
For this last reason, contraception can represent a significant mental burden. Do young girls involve their spouse in their choice? According to the conclusions of this study, “the involvement of the spouse in the choice of contraception remains limited, especially among young couples and adolescents.”
In fact, less than one in two young girls (48%) indicate that their partner is involved in this choice. The figures barely vary for stable couples (a relationship lasting more than three years): only 51% of young girls share this burden with their other half, by involving them in their choice of contraceptive.
“The study contradicts the preconceived idea that young women are not keen on hormonal contraception. Those under 25 are in favour of the pill’s effectiveness and comfort and use it to regulate hormonal disorders associated with their periods. An information effort is still needed regarding the health risks, the effects on appearance and the risk of forgetting, which are recurring concerns for young women,” concludes François Kraus, Director of Gender, Sexualities and Sexual Health expertise at Ifop.