According to Anderson, marginalized families and communities are more likely to experience adolescent pregnancies, though this type of pregnancy remains a challenge in all countries. Barriers providing additional challenges toward contraceptive access in adolescents include lack of education, restrictive policies, stigma, and financial hardship.
Investigators also noted a lack of male-focused contraception, with no new methodologies for this population entering the market in over 100 years. Transgender and nonbinary patients, especially those who have not received gender-affirming surgeries, are also at risk of pregnancy when engaging in sexual activity.
Recommendations to address contraceptive gaps
Anderson concluded there has been stagnation in contraception use over the past 25 years. Therefore, she and her colleagues recommended steps be taken to address these gaps, such as the following:
- Identifying modern and basic clinical research
- Intensifying financial support from government philanthropic and industrial entities
- Addressing the needs of underserved populations
- Increasing male contraception
Clinical trials for 2 new reversable male contraceptives were highlighted. These include the hormonal method NET/T and the testicular enzyme inhibitor YCT-529, both of which decrease the number of sperm in semen by reversibly inhibiting spermatogenesis.
Finally, understanding user preference and training providers to counsel users are vital for supporting patients. According to investigators, improved patient education is the best method to avoid unplanned pregnancy.
“Providing improved contraception choices will enhance the health, economic status, and well-being of women and their families, and is an important step towards social justice,” said Anderson.
Contraception options for perimenopausal women
Perimenopausal women also have access to effective contraceptive methods, as discussed by Andrew Kaunitz, MD, professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine, at The Menopause Society Annual Meeting 2025.2
According to Kaunitz, pregnancy risk remains well into reproductive years, highlighting the need for continued contraception use. Clinical guidelines have highlighted estrogen-progestin contraceptives as safe and effective in healthy women until menopause, though laboratory markers should be avoided to determine menopausal status in these patients.
Kaunitz also noted the simple transition directly to systemic hormone therapy. This can be used to address bone health concerns and menopausal symptoms in patients transitioning into menopause.
“Women using hormonal contraception can transition without any hormone-free days or weeks and without any specific laboratory testing to systemic hormone therapy, for instance, an estradiol patch and progestational agent or oral estrogen,” said Kaunitz.
