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41% of women in the Netherlands who opt for abortion used no method to prevent pregnancy. The most commonly cited reason for not using contraception was the belief that the chance of becoming pregnant was low (44%). Other frequently mentioned reasons included not wanting to use hormonal contraception (42%) and experiencing side effects from contraceptive methods (30%). These findings come from new Dutch research by Rutgers on contraceptive use among women prior to terminating a pregnancy.
Just over a quarter (27%) of women who did not use any method believed there was no risk of pregnancy. Additionally, nearly a quarter of these women had not considered the possibility of becoming pregnant (22%). This indicates that risk assessment either did not occur or did not align with the actual likelihood of an unintended pregnancy.
Lack of accurate knowledge and information
Renee Finkenflügel, a researcher at Rutgers, stated:
“Knowledge is essential if you want to prevent an unintended pregnancy—knowledge about the different methods, their pros and cons, as well as fertility and your cycle. This knowledge is lacking and can also be negatively influenced by misinformation spread through social media, friends, and family.”
Rutgers advocates for tackling online misinformation, particularly about contraception, by including it as part of the national programme ‘Unintended and Unwanted Pregnancy’ by the Dutch Ministry of Health. Additionally, it is crucial to continue providing comprehensive and reliable information about all available methods and fertility, so that both women and men have the necessary knowledge to prevent unintended pregnancies and can enjoy relationships and sexuality without worry.
No method is foolproof
Among three out of four women who did use a contraceptive method, issues arose due to incorrect use or method failure.
- 32% tracked their fertile days, with more than half of these women admitting they underestimated the number of fertile days.
- An equal percentage (32%) used condoms as their contraceptive method.
- The morning-after pill was the third most common method, used by 22% of women, showing that some women were aware of the risk, took measures, yet still became unintentionally pregnant.
Number of abortions in the Netherlands
In 2022 and 2023, the number of abortions in the Netherlands increased, according to the annual report by the Health and Youth Care Inspectorate. While the Rutgers study cannot explain this rise, it provides the first insights since 2015 into the contraceptive methods used by women who choose abortion.
About the study
This research was conducted in collaboration with the Dutch Association of Abortion Doctors (NGvA). The study analysed contraceptive use among women who visited Dutch abortion clinics between mid-April and late July 2024. Women aged 16 and older residing in the Netherlands were invited to complete a questionnaire at participating clinics. A total of 422 questionnaires were completed.
