Background: Unintended pregnancy is a problem that is widely exacerbated by lack of access to and use of contraceptives. Contraceptive decision-making often occurs within the context of intimate partner relationships. This study assessed how contraceptive negotiation occurs within the context of intimate partner relationships.

Methods: Qualitative interviews were administered to a sample of 15 women recruited from family planning clinics. The analysis for this study examined themes around contraceptive negotiation.

Results: Themes represented types of negotiation ranging from open and egalitarian exchanges to closed and manipulative contraceptive negotiation. Findings demonstrate that contraceptive negotiation has no set format, and that it occurs through various contexts.

Conclusion: Results solidify the importance of contraceptive negotiation within the context of intimate partner relationships. Specifically, findings highlight the strong role that intimate partner relationships play in contraceptive decision-making. Deeper understanding of contraceptive negotiation processes is necessary to reduce unintended pregnancy and to improve health outcomes.