Washington, Oct 29 When it comes to long-term solution to ward off unwanted pregnancy, intrauterine contraception (copper IUD or hormone-releasing IUS) is the most popular contraceptive among Europeans over 30 years of age, a study has revealed.

The study has shown that 10 percent of women use these methods, the majority over 30 years old.

"Long-acting contraceptives (the IUD, contraceptive injection or contraceptive implant) are still not widely used", said Sergio Haimovich, researcher at the Hospital del Mar in Barcelona and author of the study.

After the male condom, the pill is the most popular contraceptive method amongst European women, while intrauterine contraception (copper IUD or hormone-releasing IUS) is most popular as a long-term solution.

Out of over 11,000 women surveyed in 14 European countries, 1088 women-which make up 10 percent of the sample- use longer-lasting contraceptive methods.

The Spanish research, part of a broader study on the general contraceptive profile of European women, evaluates the use of long-acting reversible contraceptives.

"those using them are women over the age of 30 who do not want more children and who are looking for a long-term solution," said aimovich.

Younger girls use different methods, according to the expert.

The study has been published in the European Journal Of Contraception And Reproductive Health Care. (ANI)