Drop in Birth Control Pill Usage Among Young Women: District Differences and Health Concerns
Decreasing numbers of younger females are opting for oral contraceptives.
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link It's a tale of contrasts in Germany: while the contraceptive pill is still a popular choice for some young women, its use is waning, as revealed by a Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) survey. The latest figures show a 3 percent drop since 2020, with only 26 percent of their insured members aged 13-21 using the pill in 2023.
Regional differences are evident, with just 17 percent of young women in Berlin receiving a prescription for the pill, compared to 34 percent in Saarland. This geographical disparity begs the question: why is the pill increasingly less popular among some young women?
TK board member, Jens Baas, offers a measured explanation, "Our aim is to encourage open discussions about this topic and enable young people to make informed decisions, alongside their healthcare provider. It's not about casting the pill in a negative light; it remains one of the safest methods of contraception. Nevertheless, like any medication, the pill could have side effects."
One possible explanation is growing awareness of the health risks associated with some hormonal contraceptives. Studies conducted by TK indicate that certain newer formulations, due to their gestagens, carry a higher risk of thrombosis than others. In 2024, approximately half of the TK-insured pill users were taking medications with a comparative higher risk of thrombosis.
It's essential to note that changing attitudes and preferences, lifestyle factors, and concerns over safety could all play a role in the observed decline. For a more comprehensive understanding, one might need to delve deeper into the specific findings of the TK study.
[1] In Berlin, young women's use of the contraceptive pill is notably low, according to TK statistics.
Sources: ntv.de, AFP | Potential factors contributing to the decline: varying attitudes and preferences, health concerns, and lifestyle differences.
The contraceptive pill usage among young women in Berlin is notably low, as only 17% of TK's insured members aged 13-21 in Berlin use the pill, compared to other regions like Saarland. This lower usage may be associated with growing health concerns regarding hormonal contraceptives, as certain formulations have been found to have a higher risk of thrombosis.
