TY - JOUR
T1 - Postpartum hormonal contraceptive use in Denmark during 1997–2021
AU - Larsen, Søren Vinther
AU - Mikkelsen, Anders Pretzmann
AU - Bang Madsen, Kathrine
AU - Liu, Xiaoqin
AU - Munk-Olsen, Trine
AU - Frokjaer, Vibe Gedso
AU - Lidegaard, Øjvind
PY - 2025/3
Y1 - 2025/3
N2 - Objective: To provide an overview of postpartum hormonal contraceptive (HC) use in Denmark. Methods: This descriptive study used National health registries to estimate the cumulative incidence of HC initiation one year after delivery by type, calendar year, and age group among all first- and second-time mothers who delivered during 1997–2021 in Denmark. Timing of initiation is reported as the median time from delivery. Results: A total of 676 759 first-time and 552 142 second-time mothers were registered, with a cumulative incidence of HC initiation of 41.0% (95% CI, 40.9–41.1) and 40.5% (40.4–40.6), respectively. From 1997 to 2021, the cumulative incidence of first-time mothers who initially used progestogen-only pills increased from 3.8% (3.5–4.0) to 14.4% (13.9–14.8) and intrauterine levonorgestrel-releasing systems from 0.1% (0.1–0.2) to 12.6% (12.3–13.0). In contrast, combined oral contraception initiation decreased from 31.3% (30.7–31.8) to 7.8% (7.5–8.2). The median time of initiation decreased from 4.7 (Q1-Q3, 2.5–7.5) months during 1997–2001 to 2.5 (2–0-4.0) months during 2017–2021. The cumulative incidence of first-time mothers using combined HC six weeks after delivery decreased from 1.5% (1.5–1.6) during 2007–2011 to 0.5% (0.5–0.5) during 2017–2021. Conclusions: Within the first year after childbirth, 41 % of first- and second-time mothers initiated HC in Denmark. Throughout 1997–2021, mothers started earlier after delivery and more often used progestogen-only contraception. Few started combined HC within 6 weeks after delivery. Taken together, the pattern of HC use over time reflects a change to safer contraceptive methods postpartum which minimizes thromboembolic risk.
AB - Objective: To provide an overview of postpartum hormonal contraceptive (HC) use in Denmark. Methods: This descriptive study used National health registries to estimate the cumulative incidence of HC initiation one year after delivery by type, calendar year, and age group among all first- and second-time mothers who delivered during 1997–2021 in Denmark. Timing of initiation is reported as the median time from delivery. Results: A total of 676 759 first-time and 552 142 second-time mothers were registered, with a cumulative incidence of HC initiation of 41.0% (95% CI, 40.9–41.1) and 40.5% (40.4–40.6), respectively. From 1997 to 2021, the cumulative incidence of first-time mothers who initially used progestogen-only pills increased from 3.8% (3.5–4.0) to 14.4% (13.9–14.8) and intrauterine levonorgestrel-releasing systems from 0.1% (0.1–0.2) to 12.6% (12.3–13.0). In contrast, combined oral contraception initiation decreased from 31.3% (30.7–31.8) to 7.8% (7.5–8.2). The median time of initiation decreased from 4.7 (Q1-Q3, 2.5–7.5) months during 1997–2001 to 2.5 (2–0-4.0) months during 2017–2021. The cumulative incidence of first-time mothers using combined HC six weeks after delivery decreased from 1.5% (1.5–1.6) during 2007–2011 to 0.5% (0.5–0.5) during 2017–2021. Conclusions: Within the first year after childbirth, 41 % of first- and second-time mothers initiated HC in Denmark. Throughout 1997–2021, mothers started earlier after delivery and more often used progestogen-only contraception. Few started combined HC within 6 weeks after delivery. Taken together, the pattern of HC use over time reflects a change to safer contraceptive methods postpartum which minimizes thromboembolic risk.
KW - Contraception
KW - Epidemiology
KW - Reproduction
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85217359341&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.srhc.2025.101075
DO - 10.1016/j.srhc.2025.101075
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 39947100
SN - 1877-5756
VL - 43
JO - Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare
JF - Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare
M1 - 101075
ER -