A new evidence brief from the United Nations’ Special Programme in Human Reproduction (HRP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) underscores the transformative impact of contraceptive use on women’s health and socioeconomic status. Drawing on six systematic reviews, the report consolidates robust evidence that modern contraception not only reduces health risks but also enhances women’s agency, educational attainment and economic participation
Health benefits
The brief highlights that contraceptive use significantly reduces the incidence of high-risk pregnancies, maternal morbidity and mortality. Women using contraception are 30% less likely to experience high-risk pregnancies. Furthermore, in countries like Bangladesh and Brazil, access to modern methods has demonstrably lowered maternal deaths
Beyond maternal health, the reviews reveal that hormonal contraceptives protect against several cancers. The brief highlights the protective effects of modern contraceptives against ovarian and endometrial cancers while identifying a slight increased risk of cervical cancer (which can be protected through timely use of HPV vaccine). Oral contraceptive users have a 36% lower risk of ovarian cancer and a 44% lower risk of endometrial cancer compared to non-users
Menstrual and mental health
Menstrual health can also improve with contraceptive use. Women using hormonal methods report fewer symptoms of menstrual pain, endometriosis and abnormal bleeding. These improvements contribute to better quality of life and reduced absenteeism from work and school
Mental health outcomes are nuanced. Among women with pre-existing mental health conditions, contraceptive use is associated with reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms. However, some hormonal methods, such as implants and hormonal IUDs, may slightly increase the risk of depression in women without prior mental health issues. The brief calls for personalized contraceptive counselling that integrates mental health considerations
Empowerment and socioeconomic impact
Crucially, the evidence affirms that contraception empowers women. Two systematic reviews found that access to and use of contraceptives enhance women’s decision-making power, control over resources, and participation in education and the workforce. Among adolescents and young women, empowerment interventions linked to contraceptive access reduced the incidence of teenage pregnancy by more than half
The evidence reaffirms that contraceptive access is not merely a health intervention – it is a cornerstone of gender equality, economic development and public health.
Policy implications
The WHO brief concludes with a call to action: ensure universal access to quality family planning services, integrate empowerment strategies into reproductive health programmes, and tailor services to the unique needs of adolescents and young women.
It also emphasizes the importance of training health-care providers, strengthening health systems and addressing mental health in contraceptive counselling
While the benefits are clear, the brief also identifies gaps in the evidence base, particularly regarding long-term impacts of use and the experiences of women with underlying health conditions. Continued investment in rigorous research is essential to inform policy and practice
“The evidence reaffirms that contraceptive access is not merely a health intervention – it is a cornerstone of gender equality, economic development and public health,” said Pascale Allotey, Director of HRP and WHO’s Department on sexual, reproductive, maternal, child and adolescent health and ageing (SRMCAHA).