THE CHOICE

Our website provides the most up-to-date information about the CHOICE Project, publications, research findings and dissemination efforts.  Start by watching an overview of our research results in "Pathway to CHOICE", check out local and national resources or learn more about your contraceptive options.  The CHOICE is yours!

Also, make sure to visit our newest research study page, Contraceptive Choice Center, C3.wustl.edu, where you can find out more information and request an appointment!

Three-year continuation of reversible contraception

Earlier, we showed that women using a LARC method were more likely to be using their method at 2 years than non-LARC users. At 3 years, we found similar findings. Continuation of LARC methods was significantly higher than non-LARC methods with the continuation of use for the two IUDs approaching 70%.

Adolescent experiences with intrauterine device: A qualitative study

In order to better understand why adolescents chose an IUD in the CHOICE Project, this study conducted focus groups with teens who used either the hormonal IUD or copper IUD. This qualitative study found multiple factors that were important to adolescents including effectiveness, duration of use, convenience and potential bleeding pattern changes. Incorporating these factors in contraceptive counseling is important when talking to young women about IUDs.

Risk-based screening for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae prior to intrauterine device insertion

This secondary analysis of the CHOICE Project found that risk-based screening strategy fro Chlamydia and Gonorrhea missed very few cases of infection which shows that universal screening may not be needed.

OUR MISSION

We started this research project to remove the financial barriers to contraception, promote the most effective methods of birth control, and reduce unintended pregnancy in the St. Louis area. This was an undertaking of nearly 10,000 St. Louis women, our community partners, private providers, and a dedicated
staff of over 100 women and men.

Our Inception

The Contraceptive CHOICE Project began enrollment in August 2007. Over the course of 4 years we enrolled 9,256 women. Our last participant enrolled in September 2011.

Participants represent a diverse group of women in terms of age, education and race. Each chart shows the percentage of women in each category among the 9,256 enrolled.

graph 1

Their Choice

When our participants were counseled about all methods of birth control, 75% of the 9,256 women chose a Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive method (LARC: IUD or Implant).

Young women under the age of 21 were also interested in the IUD and implant. Over 40% of young women 14-17 years chose the implant, and over 40% of young women 18-20 years chose an IUD.

graph 2

What We've Learned

Among women who chose a LARC method, 86% were still using the method at 1 year. For women who chose a non-long-acting method, only 55% were still using their method at 1 year.

Women using LARC methods had the highest satisfaction at their one-year follow-up. Women who stopped their method during the course of the study were considered not satisfied.

Women using either LARC or the shot had the lowest unintended pregnancy rates during year 1, year 2, and year 3 of their follow-up. Pill, patch and ring users had much higher unintended pregnancy rates; they were 20 times more likely to have an unintended pregnancy compared to LARC users in Year 1.

graph 3
Printer friendly version of CHOICE study findings

CONTACT US

Have a question? Need to find our location?
Need information on other research studies?
Use our information below.

Contact Us!

Unfortunately, we have completed our enrollment for The CHOICE Project, and we are unable to receive new participants for this study. However, we would love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have. There are several substudies available. Check to see if you qualify for any of our substudies listed below.
Washington University
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
4533 Clayton Ave, St. Louis, Mo 63110
Phone: 314-747-0800
Email: Choice@wudosis.wustl.edu
fax: 314-747-6722


Current Substudies

Effectiveness of Prolonged Use of IUD/Implant for Contraception (EPIC)

Do you currently use the hormonal IUD or implant?
Is it time to have it removed?
Do you desire contraception for the next 12 months?
Are you 18-45 years old?

The Effectiveness of Prolonged use of IUD/Implant for Contraception (EPIC) study is investigating the use of these methods past the current U.S. FDA-approved duration. The study involves a 15-minute telephone enrollment survey and up to 6 follow-up telephone surveys. There is no in-person visit required and you will be compensated up to $140.00 for your participation.

If you are interested, please follow the link below to request more information:

Request Information

Or please contact us at choice@wudosis.wustl.edu or 314-747-0800.

INTERRUPT

Do you currently use the contraceptive arm implant?
Are you experiencing bothersome bleeding?
Are you 18-45 years old?

The Intervention to End Recurrent Unscheduled Bleeding (INTERRUPT) is investigating the use of an oral medication, ulipristal acetate, to improve irregular bleeding with the implant.  Participation involves a 45-minute clinic visit for enrollment and distribution of medication to be taken daily for 7 days, daily text messages about your bleeding pattern, and 4 weekly follow-up surveys.  At enrollment, you have a 1:1 chance of receiving ulipristal acetate or placebo, at no cost.  You will be compensated up to $275 in gift cards for your participation.

If you are interested, please contact us at caitlyn.ashby@wustl.edu or 314-747-2225

Contraceptive Choice Center

The Contraceptive Choice Center (C3) is a clinic that provides high quality family planning services for teens and women. Services provided include: 1) birth control counseling and methods, 2) Well woman exmas, 3) STI testing and treatment, 4) emergency contraception and 5) pregnancy testing.

If you are interested, please contact us at birthcontrol@wustl.edu or 314-747-0800.

Levonogestrel IUD for Emergency Contraception (LIFE)

Have you had unprotected intercourse in the previous 5 days?
Are you interested in the 5-year hormonal IUD?
Are you 14-45 years old?

The Levonogestral IUD For Emergency Contraception (LIFE) study is investigating the use of the 5-year hormonal IUD as a method of Emergency Contraception (EC). Participation involves a 30-minute clinic visit for enrollment and distribution of your EC method, a 5-minute clinic visit 6 weeks later to check a pregnancy test and a follow-up survey at 6 months. At time of enrollment, you have an equal chance of receiving an immediate IUD placement or EC pills, at no cost. You will be compensated $20 for the follow-up survey.

If you are interested in LIFE, please contact us at choice@wudosis.wustl.edu or 314-747-0800.

RESOURCES

Here are some additional tools that can also help you
find what you're looking for!

Saint Louis Region

Community Health Centers
Saint Louis County Health Department

You must be a St. Louis county resident to receive care at either of these health centers.

North Central Community Health Center
4000 Jennings Station Road
Pine Lawn, MO 63121
314-679-7800

South County Health Center
4580 S. Lindbergh Blvd
Saint Louis, MO 63127
314-615-0400

Family Care Health Centers

Holly Hills Location
401 Holly Hills Ave
St. Louis, MO 63111
314-353-5190

Forest Park Location
4352 Manchester Ave
St. Louis, MO 63110
314-531-5444

People's Health Centers

Delmar Location
5701 Delmar Blvd.
St. Louis MO 63112
314-367-7848

Maplewood Location
7200 Manchester Rd.
St. Louis MO 63143
314-781-9162

Planned Parenthood Saint Louis Region

Central West End Location
4251 Forest Park Avenue
St. Louis MO 63108
314-531-7526

South Grand Location
3401 South Grand
St. Louis MO 63118
314-865-1850

West County Location
#1 Stonegate Center
Manchester MO 63088
636-431-0030

St. Peters Location
208 Mid Rivers Mall Center Drive
St. Peters MO 63376
636-279-3339

North County Location
2796-98 North Highway 67
Florissant MO 63033
314-921-4445

Fairview Heights
4529 North Illinois
Belleville, IL 62226
618-277-6668

Private Providers
Center for Advanced Medicine
4921 Parkview Place
St. Louis, MO 63110
314-362-4211

West End OB/Gyn
1110 Highlands Plaza Dr East Ste 300
St. Louis, MO 63110
314-286-2620

Balanced Care for Women
10806 Olive Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63141
314-993-7009

OB/Gyn Associates, Inc.
1034 S Brentwood Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63117
314-725-9300

West County Women's Healthcare
222 S Woods Mill Road 360N
Chesterfield, MO 63017
314-205-6788

Mercy OB/Gyn

St. John's Mercy Medical Center
621 S. New Ballas Road
Tower B, Suite 4017
St. Louis MO 63141
314-872-9192

St. John's Health Center-North County
755 Dunn Road, Suite 130
Hazelwood, MO 63042
314-872-9192

O'Fallon Office
300 Winding Woods Drive
Suite 200
O'Fallon, MO 63366
314-872-9192

Serenity Women's Healthcare
493 St. Francois, Suite 2
Florissant, MO 63031
314-972-9888

Dr. Jean Thomas
6125 Clayton Ave, Suite 122
St. Louis MO 63139
314-997-2707
Dr. Aaron Pile
10121 W Florissant Ave
St. Louis MO 63136
314-521-1444
Dr. Vernon Johnson
637 Dunn Rd Suite 135
Hazelwood, MO 63042
314-647-6766
Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Testing
Saint Louis County Health Department

North Central Community Health Center
4000 Jennings Station Road
Pine Lawn, MO 63121
314-679-7800

Saint Louis ConnectCare

5535 Delmar Blvd.
St. Louis MO 63112
314-361-2273

Planned Parenthood Saint Louis Region

Central West End Location
4251 Forest Park Avenue
St. Louis MO 63108
314-531-7526

South Grand Location
3401 South Grand
St. Louis MO 63118
314-865-1850

West County Location
#1 Stonegate Center
Manchester MO 63088
636-431-0030

St. Peters Location
208 Mid Rivers Mall Center Drive
St. Peters MO 63376
636-279-3339

North County Location
2796-98 North Highway 67
Florissant MO 63033
314-921-4445

Fairview Heights
4529 North Illinois
Belleville, IL 62226
618-277-6668

Saint Louis Effort for Aids

1027 S. Vandeventer #700
Saint Louis, MO 63110
314-645-6451 

The Spot

4169 Laclede Ave, 1st Floor
St. Louis, MO 63108
314-535-0413

Nationwide

C3

 

Contraceptive Choice Center

 

The Contraceptive Choice Center (C3) is a clinic that provides high quality family planning services for teens and women. Services provided include:

Birth control counseling and methods
Well woman exams STI testing and treatment
Emergency contraception
Pregnancy testing

Same day appointments are available

 

Request an appointment

Learn more

All services are completely confidential. We accept Medicaid and most commercial plans. If you are uninsured, you may qualify for a lower fee scale.

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