Prevalence, patterns and motives for hormonal contraceptive use among German servicewomen: results from a nationwide survey
By
Jennifer Schlie
Timo Schinköthe
Annette Schmidt
June 19, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Hormonal Contraceptive Usage, Trends, and Reasons Among Female Service Members in Germany: Findings from a National Survey
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Hormonal Contraceptive Usage Key Mechanisms Hormonal contraceptives prevent pregnancy by suppressing ovulation, stabilizing endometrial growth, and thickening cervical mucus. Target Population Female service members in the German Armed Forces Care Setting Military health services
Key Highlights
38.1% of servicewomen reported current hormonal contraceptive use. Combined oral contraceptive pills (COCP) were the most common method at 18.5%. Pregnancy prevention was the primary reason for hormonal contraceptive use (82%). Hormonal contraceptive use declined with increasing age. Deployment-related switching to hormonal contraceptives was uncommon. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Assess contraceptive practices and motivations among servicewomen. Management
Provide education and counseling on informed contraceptive choices. Monitoring & Follow-up
Consider monitoring hormonal contraceptive effects on musculoskeletal health. Risks
Evaluate potential effects of hormonal contraceptives on bone metabolism. Patient & Prescribing Data
Female members of the German Armed Forces, average age 33.9 years.
Low prevalence of systemic long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) among this population.
Clinical Best Practices
Consider age-related hormonal management in counseling. Address occupational implications of different contraceptive methods. Related Resources & Content
