60% of female students are worried about falling pregnant whilst at university, a recent survey by the National Union of Students (NUS) has found.

The survey, commissioned by global healthcare provider MSD, asked 2, 988 female students about their attitudes towards sex and contraception. When the participants were asked what they would do if faced with an unplanned pregnancy, almost one in three (30.5%) said that they would have a termination; slightly over one in three (34.8%) said that they would have the baby and continue with their studies. Just over a quarter (27.8%) of the students questioned said that they were unsure what decision they would make.

Despite concerns about unplanned pregnancies, 9.8% of sexually active students say that they are not using any form of contraception. Of those using the contraceptive pill, the most popular form of contraception (used by 40.1% of sexually active female students), more than one in three admits to forgetting to take it at least once a month.

Dr Diana Mansour, Head of Sexual Health Services for Newcastle Hospitals Community Health Trust, said: “It is difficult to remember to take a pill each day and now is the time to review contraceptive options. There are 15 different options to choose from so students can find a method that suits them and offers peace of mind”.

Peter Mercer, Vice President of Welfare at the NUS reiterated this advice and emphasized the importance of identifying contraceptive options that fit in with an individual’s daily life: “Student lifestyles vary, with some having a lot of distractions and different responsibilities to juggle, which means it’s important that they are educated about contraceptive choices to suit their lifestyle".

MSD has produced and developed www.talkchoice.co.uk, a website that aims to educate women about contraceptive choice. This is one way that women can educate themselves about the contraceptive choices available to them and how they might fit in with their lifestyle prior to a consultation with a GP or nurse. Students in Cambridge can also visit The Laurels (08456 50 51 52) for advice on contraception.