The principal role of contraception is to prevent pregnancy. However, secondary functional and morphological changes may occur in genital tract mucosa. This study examined the effect of non-barrier and barrier contraception on T lymphocyte subsets and macrophages at the intraepithelial layer of the endocervix of healthy women. Mucosal cells were recovered using a cytobrush and analysed by flow cytometry. An increase of T lymphocytes (CD4+ P<0.001, CD8+ P<0.01) and macrophages (P<0.005) was observed in women using non-barrier contraception compared to barrier method users. A further comparison between individual contraceptive users and non-users demonstrated increased mononuclear cell subsets in women using the intra-uterine device (CD4+ P<0.05), combined oral contraceptives (CD4+ P<0.01, CD8+ P<0.05, CD14+ P<0.05) and no contraception  (CD4+ P<0.05, CD14+ P<0.02).  These findings suggest cell subpopulations in the cervical mucosa can be influenced by the type of contraception used.  Increased endocervical mononuclear cells among non-barrier contraceptive users suggest heightened local recruitment that could be a possible factor in the transmission of HIV-1.