CDC Survey Reveals Teens Are Having Less Sex, Plan B Usages Doubling

The CDC reported that the percentage of American women using emergency contraception post-sex has more than doubled since “morning after” pills like Plan B are being sold without prescription.

According to the CDC’s National Survey of Family Growth, more women, both teens and adults, are using emergency contraception pills, with the percentage increasing from 10.8% (2006-2010) to 26.6% (2019).

The percentage of sexually active teenage girls using emergency contraception has risen from 13.7% in 2010 to 22.3%.

Apart from over the counter pills, another option for emergency contraception includes an IUD option inserted by a medical provider within five days. It’s deemed highly effective but less common than other birth control methods.

According to the survey, condoms with a partner (94.5%) and birth control pills (79.8%) are the most commonly reported contraceptive methods.

Fewer male teens report having had sex, with the rate decreasing from 41.8% (2010) to 38.7%. Among males under 18, 23.2% have had sex, increasing to 60.2% by age 19, and the lowest rate is among White teen males at 33.1%.

The most common reasons cited by male teens for not having had sex were “haven’t found the right person yet” (35.3%) and citing religion or morals (26.2%).

The percentage of female teens reporting having had sex slightly decreased from 42.6% (2010) to 40.5%. Overall, 88.0% of women aged 15 to 44 acknowledge having ever had sex, consistent with previous CDC findings.

More male teens are using contraception during their first sexual experience, as per CDC’s data.

Condoms continue to be the most prevalent method used by male teens during their first sexual experience, increasing from 79.6% (2010) to 84.5% (2019).