Contraceptive preferences and unmet need for contraception in midlife women: where are the data?

This commentary discusses the limited availability of information on contraceptive preferences and unmet need for contraception among midlife women in both high and low income countries. Given that risk of pregnancy continues until women reach menopause and given the increased risk of pregnancy complications, elective abortion, and maternal mortality in women aged 45 to 54 years old, increased focus on gathering basic data on midlife women's preferences and unmet need is warranted.
Competing Interests: Not applicable.Not applicable.SD Harlow is Editor In Chief of this journal and NF Woods is a member of the Editorial Board. As per the journal policy, the peer review process and all decisions regarding the manuscript were handled by an Associate Editor from a different institution. SD Harlow and NF Woods were blinded to the peer review. The other authors have no competing interests.Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.