Contraception-related contacts with reproductive services down 8.7%… we’re rearranging deckchairs on the titanic
29 October 2025.
Contraception-related contacts with sexual and reproductive services in England down 8.7%.
Just released NHS England stats for 2024-25 show there were 980,000 contraception-related contacts with sexual and reproductive health services across the country in 2024-25.
That’s an 8.7% decrease from the 1.07 million contacts the previous year.
This is on top of government data released in June 2025 showing stubbornly high rates of sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis.
Rearranging deckchairs on the titanic Sexual and Reproductive Health
According to Adam Jepsen, Chief Health and Sex Education Officer, Family Planning Association
“While the new stats are worrying the long-term sexual health stats continue to show successive governments are rearranging deckchairs on the titanic
“Both the new contraception-based stats and this summer’s STI stats show mixed data with no consistent improvement.
“It’s ironic that the Department of Health and Social Care is treating the symptom rather than the cause”
Solution: New National Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy
“We need urgent investment and a new national Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy.
“For contraception – it’s essential everyone gets clear information about the advantages and disadvantages of each method of contraception – and can access their chosen method. This is not happening.
“For STI’s – a successful strategy would not only improve people’s lives by reducing transmission and subsequent infections – it would also help the cash strapped NHS save money.”
Family Planning Association view on the NHS England contraception stats for 2024-25.
1) The lower numbers of people seeking help
Years of underfunding means that women often struggle to access convenient appointments and their preferred contraception method.
Aside from access, many women are simply not satisfied with the available methods of contraception – and there’s been a growing interest in non-hormonal methods and methods with fewer side effects.
2) LARCS – huge variation in uptake
Specialist services are often the only place to get the most effective long-acting methods (LARC) such as the implant and IUD – and there can be a long wait for an appointment. There’s a huge variation in LARC uptake across different areas of England. This needs addressing.
3) Contraceptive pills and emergency contraception
New initiatives like the Pharmacy Contraception Service and over-the-counter availability are very welcome. They can free up specialist services and offer greater choice and access to contraceptive pills and emergency contraception. But they only address part of the problem.
4) Vasectomy
It is positive to see that vasectomy numbers have increased. There’s often a long NHS waiting list and many couples welcome men being able to take responsibility for contraception.
The contraception statistics for Sexual and Reproductive Health Services, England, 2024-25.
Contraception-related contacts with sexual and reproductive health services across England in 2024-25 are down 8.7%.
According to the new NHS England stats for 2024-25, the number of contraception-related contacts with sexual and reproductive health services across England have declined significantly.
There were only around 980,000 contraception-related contacts with sexual and reproductive health services across England for the year.
That’s a 8.7% decrease from 1.07 million contacts the previous year.
Overall contacts with sexual and reproductive health services fell by 3.8% in 2024-25.
Reasons for contacting with sexual and reproductive health services last year:
- 29% were about contraceptive care (excluding emergency contraception),
- 25% were about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and
- 16% related to sexual health advice.
This was broadly in line with the year before.
Other key contraception stats:
- The contraceptive pill – remained the most popular type of contraception for sexual and reproductive health service users.
- The contraceptive pill – uptake increased slightly, from 28% in 2023-24 to 31% last year. This is still well below the 39% observed in 2020-21, which could result from progesterone-only pills becoming available to purchase over the counter at pharmacies without prescription from July 2021.
- Long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) – there was a 51% uptake of LARCs in 2024-25 compared with 54% for 2023-24.
- Emergency contraception – there were 2% fewer emergency contraceptives provided by sexual and reproductive health services compared to 2023-24. This means emergency contraception provision is now similar to the pre-Covid pandemic levels.
