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Hormonal Contraception and Initiation of Semaglutide Therapy
Mille Dybdal Bager1, Hannah Karin Wood-Kurland1, Kathrine Kold Sørensen1
1Copenhagen University Hospital, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark.
JAMA Network Open
|July 22, 2026
Summary
Hormonal contraceptive use is linked to starting semaglutide, a weight management drug, in women of reproductive age. This association highlights the need to explore weight management factors in females using contraception.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Weight changes are a concern with hormonal contraception, potentially affecting contraceptive choices.
- Semaglutide use for weight management has risen among reproductive-aged women.
- The link between hormonal contraception and semaglutide initiation is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between hormonal contraception use and the subsequent initiation of semaglutide therapy.
- To investigate this association in females of reproductive age.
Main Methods:
- A nested case-control study utilizing Danish health registers.
- Included females aged 12-49 years with first semaglutide prescription and matched controls.
- Hormonal contraception use patterns were analyzed chronologically up to the index date.
Main Results:
- All hormonal contraception utilization patterns were associated with semaglutide initiation.
- Adjusted hazard ratios for single contraceptive types ranged from 1.42 to 1.63.
- For multiple contraceptive types, adjusted hazard ratios ranged from 1.64 to 2.11.
- Associations persisted after adjusting for body mass index.
Conclusions:
- Hormonal contraception use is associated with semaglutide initiation across all utilization patterns.
- This finding underscores the importance of investigating weight management factors in females using contraception.
- Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications.
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