Choosing a method of contraception

You can choose the method of contraception that suits you best. If your circumstances change, you may wish to try a different method.

Choosing your method

The following questions may help you to choose a suitable method of contraception.

Do you want hormonal or non-hormonal contraception? Hormonal contraception is very safe. But it can carry health risks. Non-hormonal contraception carries few or no health risks. With some methods, you need to practise in order to use the method reliably.
Will the woman continue to have menstrual periods (menstruation) and ovulate? A woman using hormonal contraception will usually no longer have periods naturally and will not ovulate. The only exception is the hormonal intrauterine device (IUD).
Do I change partners often? Your risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease (STI) is higher if you change partners frequently. In this case, it is advisable to use condoms, alone or with another method of contraception.
Do I only have sexual intercourse occasionally? In this case, you may find that condoms or the diaphragm are suitable for you. You use them only when you have sexual intercourse.
Does the woman smoke, or is she overweight? Methods of contraception involving two hormones carry a greater risk to health if the woman is a smoker or overweight.
Which methods of contraception are consistent with my beliefs and my culture? For example, it is important to some women that they should continue to have menstrual periods.
Which method will make me feel comfortable and safe, if I don’t want to tell other people about it? A contraceptive patch, for example, is visible. To get an IUD, which is effective for three to ten years, the woman must have one consultation with a doctor. The IUD is not visible.
Does it matter if I have to visit the doctor regularly for my contraception? In the case of hormonal methods of contraception or the IUD, you need a prescription and a consultation with a doctor. With all other methods, you can buy and use the contraception without a prescription.
How expensive is the method? Different methods of contraception cost different amounts. When you are choosing it may, for example, be important that the method should work all the time or only when you have sexual intercourse. For women in Germany, their health insurance fund will pay for contraception until their 22nd birthday; they require a prescription.