Sayonara, Pill Poppers? Less Young Women Opting for Hormonal Contraception
Decreasing numbers of young females opt for birth control pills
Is the hormonal contraceptive pill losing its charm among the youth? Stats by Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) suggest so. In 2024, only a quarter, or 26%, of their insured members aged between 13 and 21 were popping the pill, compared to 39% in 2020. Interestingly, the numbers dropped even further in 2023, standing at 28%.
Berlin, it seems, has the lowest ratio with merely 17% of young women getting their prescription for the contraceptive pill. This huge discrepancy with cities like Saarland, where 34% of young women have been prescribed the pill, raises curious eyebrows.
What's the deal? Jens Baas, TK board member, explains, "We aim to keep young folks engaged and well-informed about their reproductive health decisions alongside their docs. We're not thumbing down the pill; it's a super-safe contraceptive option, yet it's medication that comes with potential side effects like mood swings and increased risk of certain health complications."
Given that newer preparations may pose a higher thrombosis risk, over half of the pill users insured by TK have been found to be using these preparations.[1][4]
It's important to note that there are regional differences in the use of the pill, yet more specific regional studies focusing on health behaviors and attitudes towards contraception are needed to get a clearer picture.[2] The shift in preference towards hormone-free contraception could be due to a mix of factors, including concerns about side effects, societal attitudes, or emerging, more acceptable contraceptive methods.[1][3][4]
Sources: ntv.de, AFP
[1] https://enrichment-data.com/trend-hormone-free-contraception/[2] https://enrichment-data.com/regional-differences-contraception-use/[3] https://enrichment-data.com/demographic-concerns/[4] https://enrichment-data.com/future-contraception/
Science points to a trend among young women, as they are increasingly opting for hormone-free contraception over the conventional hormonal contraceptive pill, following health-and-wellness concerns about potential side effects. This shift in preference towards non-hormonal methods could also be influenced by societal attitudes and the advent of more acceptable contraceptive options.
