[1] While research remains fragmentary, women in abusive relationships are at higher risk of reproductive coercion and unintended pregnancies.
[2][3] Negative outcomes include poor mental health, unintended pregnancy, unwanted abortion, and sexually transmitted diseases.
[1][7][10] Pregnancy coercion involves various tactics, including verbal threats related to impregnation, coerced sex, refusal to use or interference with male-controlled contraception (i.e., condoms, withdrawal), interference with or pressure not to use or to use female controlled contraception (i.e., hormonal methods), monitoring menstrual cycles or gynecological visits, pressure for or against sterilization or other medical related methods, and monitoring of ovulation.
[1] A Guttmacher Institute policy analysis states that forcing a woman to terminate a pregnancy she wants violates the basic human right of reproductive health.
[1] In a family planning clinic setting in California, 13% of patients reported experiencing reproductive coercion in October 2018.
[1] 15.0% of women in California, aged 16–29, seeking family planning reported experiencing birth control sabotage.
[4] Among women in Côte d'Ivoire over the age of 18 with a male partner, lifetime prevalence rates of reproductive coercion perpetrated by an in-law of 5.5% and 6.0% have been reported.
[4] Lifetime prevalence of reproductive coercion among women in Côte d'Ivoire over the age of 18 perpetrated by a male partner is 18.5%.
[4] Among married women aged 15–49 in Jordan, 13% reported that a parent or in-law tried to stop them from using contraception, including their mother-in-law (36%), mother (27%), or sister-in-law (11%).
[4] In India, a study conducted in the state of Uttar Pradesh reported that about 1 out of 8 women (12%) were subjected to Reproductive Coercion by their current husbands or in-laws.
[3] According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Futures Without Violence recommendations, providers should assess for reproductive coercion as part of routine family planning care and before discussing contraceptive options.
[14] In the United States, levonorgestrel (LNG) Plan B One Step and other generics (the morning after pill or emergency contraception) can be acquired by persons of any age.