Traditional methods of contraception, such as the rhythm and withdrawal methods, are witnessing a significant rise among married women across India, according to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-6.The survey shows that the use of traditional family planning methods increased from 10.3 per cent in 2019-21 (NFHS-5) to 16.4 per cent in 2023-24 (NFHS-6). In the rhythm method, couples abstain from sexual intercourse during the woman’s fertile period to avoid pregnancy.While modern contraceptive methods such as female sterilisation, condoms, oral pills and injectables continue to account for the majority of family planning practices, their usage has declined from 56.4 per cent in NFHS-5 to 52.7 per cent in NFHS-6.Despite the decline in modern contraceptive use, the overall adoption of family planning methods among currently married women has risen from 66.7 per cent to 69.1 per cent during the same period.Goa, Sikkim record highest use of traditional methodsGoa and Sikkim have emerged as the states with the highest proportion of married women relying on traditional contraceptive methods.In Goa, the percentage of women using traditional methods surged from 7.8 per cent in NFHS-5 to 33.8 per cent in NFHS-6, more than a fourfold increase. During the same period, the use of modern contraceptive methods declined from 60.1 per cent to 39 per cent.Sikkim recorded a similar trend, with 33.8 per cent of married women reporting the use of traditional methods, up from 14.2 per cent in 2019-21. The proportion of women using modern methods in the state fell from 54.9 per cent to 42.2 per cent.Lakshadweep and Uttar Pradesh ranked third and fourth, respectively. In Lakshadweep, traditional method usage increased from 22.5 per cent to 29.9 per cent, while in Uttar Pradesh it rose from 17.9 per cent to 29.1 per cent.A 2023 study titled Understanding the Rise in Traditional Contraceptive Methods Use in Uttar Pradesh, India, published in the journal Reproductive Health, found that women across socio-demographic groups cited the absence of side effects, ease of use and zero cost as key reasons for choosing traditional methods.Experts cite changing preferencesHealth economist Prof Aswini Kumar Nanda attributed the trend to a combination of personal preferences and concerns about modern contraceptives.“There are several factors behind the rise in the use of traditional methods among married women in India. Couples have become pleasure-conscious and want to avoid any barriers during sexual intercourse. Also, women seem to be avoiding the side effects of modern methods like pills, injectables or IUDs. They are working, so they are more empowered now and have more say in the bedroom,” he said.However, Nanda cautioned that dependence on traditional methods could increase the risk of unintended pregnancies and may affect long-term population stabilisation efforts if the decline in modern contraceptive use continues.Chandigarh tops North IndiaAmong northern states and Union Territories, Chandigarh recorded the highest proportion of women using traditional family planning methods at 22.8 per cent in NFHS-6, up marginally from 21.8 per cent in NFHS-5.At the same time, the share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Chandigarh fell from 55.6 per cent to 48.1 per cent.Jammu and Kashmir recorded 21.8 per cent of married women relying on traditional methods, nearly three times higher than in the previous survey. The Union Territory also witnessed a decline in the use of modern contraceptives.Punjab and Haryana each reported 21.4 per cent of married women using traditional methods, both registering an increase over the previous survey cycle. Uttarakhand recorded 20.7 per cent, while Himachal Pradesh stood at 17.8 per cent.The NFHS-6 survey findings were released on May 29.