Contraception

The development of new methods of contraception takes a long time. No new methods have become available in the UK in recent years and there are none on the near horizon. Activity in the arena of contraception has recently focussed on the production of guidelines designed to improve contraceptive prescribing among health professionals. New data on the effect on unintended pregnancy and abortion rates of increased access to hormonal emergency contraception has cast doubt on the benefits of EC on public health outcomes.