NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 284 ■ August 2017 

Unmarried Men’s Contraceptive Use at Recent Sexual 

Intercourse: United States, 2011–2015 

Kimberly Daniels, Ph.D., and Joyce C. Abma, Ph.D. 

younger unmarried men 

used any method, any male 

 

Key findings 

Data from the National 

Survey of Family Growth 

● In 2011–2015, 81.7% of 

unmarried men who had sexual 

intercourse in the last 3 months 

reported that they or their 

female partner used any method 

of contraception at last sexual 

intercourse. 

● Nearly 60% of unmarried 

men reported using any male 

method of contraception at 

recent sexual intercourse in 

2011–2015; 45.2% reported 

using the male condom. 

● Use of withdrawal increased 

over the three time points 

shown here: 2002, 2006–2010, 

and 2011–2015. 

● Higher percentages of 

Contraception is used to help prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually 

transmitted infections (STI). Higher percentages of pregnancies to unmarried 

persons are unintended than for those who are married (1). Patterns of 

contraceptive use as reported by women, including differences by marital 

status, are well documented using National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) 

data (2–4); however, less research focuses on contraceptive use as reported by 

men. Using 2011–2015 NSFG data from men, with selected time trends, this 

data brief describes contraceptive use at last recent vaginal sexual intercourse 

(within 3 months) among unmarried men, focusing primarily on male methods 

of contraception (condom, withdrawal, and vasectomy). 

Keywords: condom • withdrawal • National Survey of Family Growth 

Use of male methods overall and withdrawal increased over 

time, while use of other methods remained similar. 

Figure 1. Percentage using any and selected contraceptive methods at last sexual intercourse 

among unmarried men aged 15–44 who had intercourse in the last 3 months: United States, 

2002, 2006–2010, and 2011–2015 

 

 

 

 

method, the male condom, and 

withdrawal at recent sexual 

intercourse compared with 

older men. 

● A higher percentage of 

unmarried non-Hispanic black 

men used the male condom 

compared with Hispanic and 

non-Hispanic white men. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Significant linear trend, p < 0.05. 

NOTES: Any contraceptive method includes all methods used by men and their female partners. Any male contraceptive method 

includes male condom, withdrawal, and vasectomy. Access data table for Figure 1 at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db284_table.pdf#1. 

SOURCE: NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2002, 2006–2010, 2011–2015. 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

National Center for Health Statistics 
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 284 ■ August 2017

● Among unmarried men who had sexual intercourse in the last 3 months, no change was seen

in the percentages reporting that they or their partner used any method of contraception at

last sexual intercourse across the three time points shown: 80.2% in 2002, 83.7% in

2006–2010, and 81.7% in 2011–2015 (Figure 1).

● The percentage of unmarried men who had sexual intercourse in the last 3 months who used

a male method of contraception during last sexual intercourse increased from 52.2% in 2002

to 59.3% in 2011–2015.

● No differences were seen across the three time points in condom use (44.5%–45.8%) or

vasectomy (1.0%–1.7%).

● Use of withdrawal nearly doubled from 9.8% in 2002 to 18.8% in 2011–2015.

Use of any contraceptive method varied by age, marital or cohabiting 

status, and Hispanic origin and race. 

● Among unmarried men who had sexual intercourse in the last 3 months, use of any

contraceptive method decreased with increasing age groups, ranging from 94.9% of men

aged 15–19 to 72.4% of men aged 35–44 (Figure 2).

● Use of any method of contraception was highest among never-married men (89.3%),

followed by formerly married (80.0%) and cohabiting (70.5%) men.

Figure 2. Percentage using any method of contraception at last sexual intercourse among unmarried men aged 15–44 

who had intercourse in the last 3 months, by selected characteristics: United States, 2011–2015 

1

Significant linear trend, p < 0.05. 2

Significant difference across the three comparison groups, p < 0.05. 3

Significant differences between non-Hispanic white men and all other Hispanic-origin and race groups, p < 0.05. 

NOTES: Any method of contraception includes all methods used by men and their female partners. See Definitions on Hispanic origin and race for more details on 

single and multiple-race coding. Access data table for Figure 2 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db284_table.pdf#2. 

SOURCE: NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2011–2015. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 284 ■ August 2017

● Use of any method of contraception was higher for non-Hispanic white men (84.5%)

compared with Hispanic (78.5%) and non-Hispanic black men (79.5%).

Use of any male method varied by age, marital or cohabiting status, and 

Hispanic origin and race. 

● Among unmarried men who had sexual intercourse in the last 3 months, use of any male

method at last intercourse decreased with increasing age (Figure 3).

● Use of any male method was highest among never-married men (75.1%), followed by

formerly married (55.3%) and cohabiting (35.9%) men.

● Use of any male method was higher for non-Hispanic black men (65.0%) compared with

Hispanic men (54.8%).

Figure 3. Percentage using any male method of contraception at last sexual intercourse among unmarried men aged 

15–44 who had intercourse in the last 3 months, by selected characteristics: United States, 2011–2015 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Significant linear trend, p < 0.05. 2

Significant differences across the three comparison groups, p < 0.05. 3

Significant difference for non-Hispanic black men and Hispanic men, p < 0.05. 

NOTES: Any male method of contraception includes male condom, withdrawal, and vasectomy. See Definitions on Hispanic origin and race for more details on 

single and multiple-race coding. Access data table for Figure 3 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db284_table.pdf#3. 

SOURCE: NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2011–2015. 

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NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 284 ■ August 2017

Use of the male condom varied by age, marital or cohabiting status, and 

Hispanic origin and race. 

● Among unmarried men who had sexual intercourse in the last 3 months, use of the condom 

decreased with increasing age groups, ranging from 75.5% among those aged 15–19 to 

25.8% among those aged 35–44 (Figure 4). 

● Use of the male condom was highest among never-married men (60.8%), followed by 

formerly married men (35.2%) and cohabiting men (23.5%). 

● A higher percentage of non-Hispanic black men used condoms at their last sexual 

intercourse (54.3%) compared with non-Hispanic white (44.2%) and Hispanic (42.1%) men. 

Figure 4. Percentage using a male condom at last sexual intercourse among unmarried men aged 15–44 who had 

intercourse in the last 3 months, by selected characteristics: United States, 2011–2015 

 

1

Significant linear trend, p < 0.05. 2

Significant differences across the three comparison groups, p < 0.05. 3

Significant differences between non-Hispanic black men and all other Hispanic-origin and race groups, p < 0.05. 

NOTES: See Definitions on Hispanic origin and race for more details on single and multiple-race coding. Access data table for Figure 4 at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db284_table.pdf#4. 

SOURCE: NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2011–2015. 

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NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 284 ■ August 2017

Use of withdrawal varied by age and marital or cohabiting status, but no 

differences were seen by Hispanic origin and race. 

● Among unmarried men who had sexual intercourse in the last 3 months, use of withdrawal 

decreased with increasing age groups, ranging from 26.2% among men aged 15–19 to 

12.2% among men aged 35–44 (Figure 5). 

● Use of withdrawal was higher for never-married men (23.0%) compared with formerly 

married (16.3%) and cohabiting (13.0%) men. 

● Use of withdrawal was similar across the Hispanic-origin and race groups shown, around 

18%–19%. 

Figure 5. Percentage using withdrawal at last sexual intercourse among unmarried men aged 15-44 who had intercourse 

in the last three months, by selected characteristics: United States, 2011–2015 

 

1

Significant linear trend, p < 0.05. 2

Significant difference between never-married men and cohabiting and formerly married men, p < 0.05. 

NOTES: See Definitions on Hispanic origin and race for more details on single and multiple-race coding. Access data table for Figure 5 at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db284_table.pdf#5. 

SOURCE: NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2011–2015. 

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NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 284 ■ August 2017

Summary 

In 2011–2015, among unmarried men aged 15–44 who had sexual intercourse in the last 

3 months, 81.7% used a method of contraception at last intercourse. Nearly 60% reported using 

a male method of contraception at last intercourse (condom, withdrawal, or vasectomy). Male 

condoms were used by 45.2% of men at last intercourse, a percentage statistically unchanged 

from 2006–2010 (45.8%) and 2002 (44.5%). Use of withdrawal increased over these three time 

points, to 18.8% in 2011–2015. 

Higher percentages of younger unmarried men used any method, any male method, the male 

condom, and withdrawal at recent sexual intercourse compared with unmarried men of older 

ages. Across marital and cohabiting status, the percentage of men using any method, any male 

method, and the male condom was highest for never-married men, followed by formerly married 

and currently cohabiting men. A higher percentage of unmarried non-Hispanic black men used 

any male method compared with unmarried Hispanic men. In addition, a higher percentage of 

unmarried non-Hispanic black men used the male condom compared with all other Hispanicorigin and race groups shown in this report. 

Compared with married men and women, higher percentages of pregnancies to unmarried men 

and women are unintended (1). About one-half of new STIs occur among those aged 15–24 

(5), an age group in which most are unmarried (6). The bulk of research on contraceptive use 

has relied on data collected from women. It is potentially useful to examine men’s reports of 

contraceptive method use, particularly for the use of male methods, because different patterns 

may be seen among men compared with women. Additional NSFG data are available to allow 

further analyses of contraceptive use as reported by men. 

Definitions

Age: Respondent’s age at the time of the interview. The NSFG recode variable used was AGER. 

Contraceptive use at recent sexual intercourse: Contraceptive method(s) used at the respondent’s 

last sexual (vaginal) intercourse occurring in the last 3 months. The male condom, withdrawal, 

and vasectomy are described here as male methods of contraception because they require action 

on the part of the male partner, unlike other methods that involve action only by the female 

partner (e.g., oral contraceptive pills). One or both partners may be involved in contraceptive 

decision-making regardless of the methods used. The residual percentages of men not using any 

method of contraception do not necessarily indicate risk of an unintended pregnancy. The NSFG 

recodes used were METH3M1–METH3M4, which are based on men who had sexual intercourse 

with a female partner within the last 3 months. 

Hispanic origin and race: The Office of Management and Budget’s 1997 guidelines for the 

presentation of race and origin data in federal statistics are used for the classifications in this 

report (7). These guidelines allowing respondents to report more than one racial or ethnic origin 

are reflected in the NSFG recode variable HISPRACE2. For this report, the categories shown 

separately are Hispanic; non-Hispanic white, single race; and non-Hispanic black, single race. 

Non-Hispanic other respondents were included in overall estimates but are not shown separately 

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NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 284 ■ August 2017

due to the diversity of this group. For ease of writing, non-Hispanic white, single race is referred 

to as non-Hispanic white; and non-Hispanic black, single race is referred to as 

non-Hispanic black. 

Marital or cohabiting status: Respondent’s marital or cohabiting status at the time of the interview 

with regard to opposite-sex partners. Categories considered here as unmarried are cohabiting, 

formerly married (widowed, divorced, or separated for reasons of marital discord), and never 

married. Marital status is defined in this report based on the respondent’s current status regardless 

of his previous marital status (e.g., if a respondent was formerly married but cohabiting at the 

time of interview, he was classified as cohabiting in this report.). The NSFG recode used was 

RMARITAL. 

Data source and methods 

This report is based primarily on interview data from the 3,707 unmarried men aged 15–44 in 

the combined 2011–2013 and 2013–2015 NSFG data files who had sexual intercourse in the 

3 months before the interview. Information from the 2002 and 2006–2010 NSFG data files is also 

used in Figure 1. NSFG is a nationally representative survey of women and men aged 15–44 in 

the U.S. household population that gathers data on fertility, marriage, divorce, infertility, use of 

contraception, and general and reproductive health. More information is available on the NSFG 

website: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nsfg/index.htm. 

Statistics for this report were produced using the SURVEY procedures in SAS software version 

9.4. Percentages were compared using two-tailed t tests at the 5% level. No adjustments were 

made for multiple comparisons. A weighted least-squares regression was used to test for linear 

trends across age groups and time periods. The data presented in this report are bivariate 

associations that may be explained by other factors included and not included in this report. 

For example, given that never-married men are typically younger than cohabiting and formerly 

married men, differences seen here by marital or cohabiting status may be partly explained by age 

differences across groups. Vasectomy was not presented separately in this report after 

Figure 1 because many of the numbers were too small to be statistically reliable. Percentages 

reflect use either alone or in combination with another method at recent sexual intercourse. 

About the authors 

Kimberly Daniels and Joyce C. Abma are with the National Center for Health Statistics, Division 

of Vital Statistics, Reproductive Statistics Branch.

References 

1. Finer LB, Zolna MR. Declines in unintended pregnancy in the United States, 2008–2011. 

N Engl J Med 374(9):843–52. 2016. 

2. Chandra A, Martinez GM, Mosher WD, et al. Fertility, family planning, and reproductive 

health of U.S. women: Data from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth. National Center 

for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 23(25). 2005. Available from: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_23/sr23_025.pdf. 

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NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 284 ■ August 2017

       

 

 

   

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For more NCHS Data Briefs, visit:

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3. Daniels K, Mosher WD, Jones J. Contraceptive methods women have 

ever used: United States, 1982–2010. National health statistics reports; no 62. 

Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2013. Available from: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr062.pdf. 

4. Daniels K, Daugherty J, Jones J, Mosher W. Current contraceptive use 

and variation by selected characteristics among women aged 15–44: 

United States, 2011–2013. National health statistics reports; no 86. 

Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2015. Available from: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr086.pdf. 

5. CDC. Information for teens and young adults: Staying healthy and 

preventing STDs. CDC Fact Sheet. 2014. Available from: 

https://www.cdc.gov/std/life-stages-populations/teen-factsheet-nov-2014.pdf. 

6. Copen CE, Daniels K, Vespa J, Mosher WD. First marriages in the 

United States: Data from the 2006–2010 National Survey of Family Growth. 

National health statistics reports; no 49. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for 

Health Statistics. 2012. Available from: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr049.pdf. 

7. Office of Management and Budget. Revisions to the standards 

for the classification of federal data on race and ethnicity. Fed Regist 

62(210):58782–90. 1997. Available from: 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fedreg_1997standards/. 

Suggested citation 

Daniels K, Abma JC. Unmarried men’s 

contraceptive use at recent sexual 

intercourse: United States, 2011–2015. 

NCHS data brief, no 284. Hyattsville, MD: 

National Center for Health Statistics. 2017. 

Copyright information 

All material appearing in this report is in 

the public domain and may be reproduced 

or copied without permission; citation as to 

source, however, is appreciated. 

National Center for Health 

Statistics 

Charles J. Rothwell, M.S., M.B.A., Director 

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Associate 

Director for Science 

Division of Vital Statistics 

Delton Atkinson, M.P.H., M.P.H., P.M.P., 

Director 

Hanyu Ni, Ph.D., M.P.H., Associate Director 

for Science 

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