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Partnership trajectories preceding medically assisted reproduction.
Alina Pelikh1, Hanna Remes2, Niina Metsä-Simola2
1University College London.
Population Studies
|June 13, 2023
Summary
Medically assisted reproduction (MAR) is increasingly common. Most women use MAR with their first partner, often before age 30, and tend to be highly educated with high incomes.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Sociology
- Demography
Background:
- Medically assisted reproduction (MAR) usage has risen significantly.
- Limited research exists on the demographics and partnership histories of MAR users.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the partnership trajectories of women undergoing MAR.
- To investigate demographic characteristics of MAR users.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal analysis of Finnish population register data (n=21,129).
- Tracking partnership histories from age 16 until first MAR treatment.
- Identification of partnership trajectories using sequence plots.
Main Results:
- 60.7% of women underwent MAR with their first partner.
- 21.5% used MAR in a second partnership, 7.1% in higher-order partnerships.
- 10.7% used MAR without a partner; most users were young (under 30), highly educated, and high-income.
Conclusions:
- MAR users exhibit diverse partnership histories.
- Demographic profiles indicate a trend towards younger, educated, and financially stable individuals seeking MAR.
- Further research is needed to understand the heterogeneity in partnership transitions among MAR users.
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