Contraception without hormones: which one and why?

If you want to avoid hormonal contraception for a variety of reasons, there are other options besides the pill, such as patches or implants.

• The most common non-hormonal method of birth control is the IUD, also known as an intrauterine device.
• In addition to being a reliable way to avoid pregnancy, the condom also protects against sexually transmitted diseases, which is not the case with the IUD.
• The diaphragm is a back-up method that requires the use of a spermicide.
• Some women use so-called “natural” methods, which are based on a calculation of the ovulation period but are not considered reliable.