Market Trends of United Kingdom Contraceptive Devices Industry
Condoms are Expected to Dominate the United Kingdom Contraceptive Devices Market
- The contraceptive devices market in the United Kingdom is expected to experience substantial growth in the condom segment over the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to several factors, including an increase in condom usage among the population and heightened awareness of sexually transmitted diseases within the country.
- A condom is a barrier device shaped like a sheath used during sexual activity to reduce the risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). It is a widely used method of preventing STDs. For example, in March 2022, the National Chlamydia Screening Program (NCSP) was organized in the United Kingdom to reduce the risk of untreated chlamydia infection. The program aims to reduce the harms of untreated chlamydia infection by primarily screening women and girls. Such awareness initiatives are expected to drive the use of condoms for preventing unwanted pregnancy and STDs, thereby propelling the segment's growth.
- Furthermore, a clinical trial study published in the Journal of Sex Research in January 2022 in the United Kingdom showed that CSD500, a novel condom, holds significant potential for improving men's and women's sexual pleasure. Such studies are expected to drive growth in this segment further. In addition, condom sales have increased since lockdown restrictions eased in the United Kingdom, as reported in February 2022. The rise in condom sales is expected to further drive segment growth in the country during the forecast period.
High Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Increasing Awareness about STDs are Expected to Drive the Market Growth During
- The market growth for contraceptive devices in the country is expected to receive a boost from increased awareness about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This awareness is expected to break the social stigma surrounding these diseases and educate citizens about contraceptive devices for prevention.
- According to the United Kingdom's official report on STIs from 2021, updated in October 2022, there was a significant increase in consultations at Sexual Health Services (SHSs), with a total of 4,002,827 consultations in 2021, representing a 15.7% increase from the previous year. In addition, there were 1,949,940 sexual health screens, which are diagnostic tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) delivered by SHSs, representing an 18.7% increase compared to the previous year. These tests resulted in 311,604 diagnoses of new STIs among England residents in 2021.
- The high prevalence of STIs is expected to drive the use of contraceptive devices, such as condoms, which in turn is expected to boost the market growth in the country. The market growth is also expected to be fueled by various awareness initiatives being conducted in the country. For instance, in July 2022, a campaign with the theme 'It Starts With Me' was launched in England to raise awareness of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as prevention strategies for these diseases. Such initiatives are expected to educate citizens about the risks and prevention methods of STIs, thereby creating opportunities for companies to develop innovative contraceptive devices that can be used to prevent STIs. This is expected to propel the market growth during the forecast period.