Condom 'as popular as pill' for women

Condoms are just as popular with women as a form of contraception as the pill, official figures have shown.

Latest data showed that condoms are used by 25 per cent of women under 50, exactly the same as the proportion of women who use the contraceptive pill.

The Office for National Statistics published the results today after interviewing 1,093 women and 1,464 men.

Its research found 75 per cent of women use contraception, with younger women preferring to use the pill or condoms.

Ninety per cent of respondents said prevention of pregnancy was the main reason for using contraception, double the proportion who cited prevention of infection.

'It is encouraging to see that access to information about contraception and contraceptive services is improving,' commented Natika H Halil, director of information at the Family Planning Association.

'Whilst women are using very safe and reliable methods of contraception such as the condom and the pill, there are 15 methods of contraception available. Women should be able to access all of them in equal measure.'

Today's research also showed 34 per cent of men saying their own use of condoms was increasing, while six per cent said they had fewer one-night stands.