Female sterilisation 'in decline'

Sterilisation is an invasive proceedure

The number of women in England opting for sterilisation has dropped sharply in recent years, figures show.

The NHS carried out 49,000 sterilisations in 1995-96, but latest figures for 2004-05 show the number has fallen to just 18,400.

Experts say a key reason is the increasing use of long-acting, reversible contraception, such as jabs and implants.

It is thought more men are also opting for a vasectomy.

These long acting contraceptive methods are great news Liz Davies Marie Stopes International

Figures released by the Information Centre for Health and Social Care show 21% of the women who visited NHS community contraception clinics in 2006-2007 for contraception chose long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods.

This compares with 18% in 2003/04.

Recommended option

The advantage of LARC methods is that women do not have to remember to use contraceptives every day or each time they have sex.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) issued guidance in 2005 saying that they should be offered to all women seeking advice on contraception.

It said the move could cut the number of unplanned pregnancies in England and Wales by 70,000 a year.

Liz Davies, of the charity Marie Stopes International, said: "These long acting contraceptive methods are great news - widening the choice for women and allowing them to plan and space their families as they wish.

"Female sterilisation is a more invasive alternative and just like any operation, carries additional risks."

However, Anne Weyman, chief executive of fpa (Family Planning Association) said the use of LARCs was "still unacceptably low".

She said at least 25% of women should be using these forms of contraception, but primary care trusts had fallen well short of the target.

Male clinic visits

The latest figures also show more men are visiting contraception clinics.

In the past year 117,000 men attended a clinic - an increase of 48% over the past decade.

About 30,000 of these visitors were aged 16 and 17 - a rise of 50% among this age group in just one year.

However, the vast majority of people who visit a clinic are still women - who out-number male visitors by eleven to one.