Contraceptive use in lesbian and bisexual women: findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health

Contraceptive use is a key part of sexual and reproductive health for women, yet few studies have explored contraceptive use patterns in lesbian and bisexual women born between 1989 and 1995. Analysing data from an existing cohort study of reproductive-aged women this study explores contraceptive use among lesbian and bisexual women in Australia. Findings of the study showed that lesbians were least likely to use contraceptives compared to heterosexual women and that bisexual women used short-acting hormonal methods at lower rates and long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs) such as IUDs and implants at higher rates than their heterosexual peers. There was also a range of changes in contraceptive use across time including a decrease in use of both short-acting hormonal contraception and LARCs in combination with condoms while the use of LARCs on their own increased. The findings of this study also indicate that young lesbian and bisexual women are not only likely to use more than one type of contraception, but that their choice of contraception is dynamic and likely to change over time. This paper highlights the need for research that specifically explores the underlying reasons for patterns of, and changes in, contraceptive use among lesbian and bisexual women to better understand the contraceptive counselling needs of this group.