CONTRACEPTIVE use was slightly more common among women with intellectual disability than matched comparators, although the types of contraception used differed substantially, according to a population-based cohort study.
Researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of linked administrative datasets from New South Wales, Australia, including women aged 15–49 years between 2001 and 2018. The study compared overall and annual contraceptive use between women with intellectual disability and matched comparators, examining both any contraceptive use and specific contraceptive methods. A generalised linear model was used to assess the association between intellectual disability and contraceptive use after adjustment for relevant covariates.
Overall, 26.8% of women with intellectual disability used contraception compared with 23.9% of matched comparators. The contraceptive pill remained the most commonly used method in both groups, accounting for 48.9% of contraceptive use among women with intellectual disability and 58.1% among comparators.
However, notable differences were observed for other contraceptive methods. Contraceptive injections were used more frequently by women with intellectual disability, representing 20.4% of contraceptive use compared with 4.8% among comparators. In contrast, hormonal intrauterine devices were less commonly used in women with intellectual disability than in matched comparators, accounting for 11.2% and 18.3% of contraceptive use, respectively.
Annual prevalence data also demonstrated a greater increase in contraceptive implant use over time among women with intellectual disability.
After adjustment for covariates, intellectual disability remained significantly associated with any contraceptive use: (relative rate: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.12–1.17).
The investigators suggested that the greater use of contraceptive methods requiring minimal active management may reduce opportunities for women with intellectual disability to participate in contraceptive decision making. They concluded that improved information and support are needed to enable access to a broader range of contraceptive options and to strengthen autonomy and informed decision making in reproductive healthcare for women with intellectual disability.
Huang Y et al. Contraception use in women with intellectual disability: a retrospective cohort study. BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health. 2026;52:176-83.
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