Contraception without hormones – an overview

Contraception without hormones – what methods are there and how reliable are they? We’ll introduce you to alternatives to hormonal contraception and explain their advantages and disadvantages.

For many decades, the pill was considered the contraceptive par excellence for women of all ages: safe, easy to use and readily available. Meanwhile, however, more and more women want the unpleasant, sometimes dangerous, possible Side effects hormonal contraception no longer accept it. We’ll introduce you to some hormone-free contraception methods.

With hormone-free contraception, you no longer have to worry about these side effects. Hormone-free contraception protects the body and is in harmony with the female cycle.

Barrier methods of contraception without hormones – condoms and diaphragms

The best-known methods of contraception without hormones are certainly the barrier methods – for example, condoms or diaphragms. They prevent egg and sperm cells from meeting.

Benefits:

• A clear advantage of this method of contraception without hormones is that it is quick and easy to use.
• In particular, condoms can be bought spontaneously in any supermarket, drugstore or pharmacy.
• Another advantage is the relatively high level of safety for hormone-free contraception when used correctly (Pearl Index between 2 and 12 for a condom, for a diaphragm with spermicidal cream between 4 and 10).
• Condoms are the only contraceptives that also protect against sexually transmitted diseases!
• You can buy a diaphragm in the pharmacy or order it online. So it is also quite easily available. However, the size must be determined beforehand by a gynecologist. Only with the right size and in combination with a spermicide does the diaphragm have the above-mentioned Pearl Index.

Disadvantage:

• Correct use requires a little practice – especially with the diaphragm. If used improperly, the risk of unwanted pregnancy is high.
• In addition, condoms in particular produce a lot of waste and always have to be bought – so you have regular financial expenses.
• Some people are allergic to natural latex.

Copper chain or copper spiral – contraception without hormones

Copper impairs the mobility of the sperm and also inhibits the build-up of the uterine lining – so fertilization does not occur in the first place or the fertilized egg cannot implant itself in the uterus.

There are various hormone-free contraceptives that work according to this model: the copper chain, the copper IUD or the copper ball.

Benefits:

• The copper supplements are among the safest contraceptives without hormones (Pearl Index spiral 0.6-0.8; ball 0.5-0.7; chain 0.1-0.5).
• You no longer have to worry about contraception after insertion – because the chain or ball can be worn in the body for up to five years, and the IUD for up to ten years.

Disadvantage:

• The woman has a foreign body in her uterus – the onset and the days that follow can be very painful. In principle, the body can react with increased, longer and occasionally painful menstrual periods. Also Intermenstrual bleeding are possible. So if you suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding anyway, the copper supplements are probably not for you.
• If the chain, ball, or IUD is not seated properly, it can cause severe pain.
• In addition, there is a high price of several hundred euros for providing and using this type of contraception without hormones.
• The risk of infection is increased, especially in the first few months and with frequently changing sexual partners.

Natural family planning – hormone-free contraception with the symptothermal method

In natural family planning, women use various body characteristics to determine their fertile and infertile days themselves.

It is important that at least 2 symptoms are always precisely measured and compared become:

1. Basal body temperature (this is the body temperature right after waking up),
2. Quality of Cervical mucus or / and the Cervix.

If used correctly, you can do without further contraceptives on infertile days. On the fertile days, you can either refrain from sexual intercourse or use barrier methods.

There are now some technical aids such as temperature and hormone computers or apps. However, little research has been carried out into their safety. It is best to seek advice from a gynecologist. The book “Naturally and safely – the practice book” (in the bookstore around the corner or at **book7). You can find it on the website of Sensiplan also extensive information.

Benefits:

• When used correctly, the method offers a very high level of protection (Pearl index 0.4-0.6), is free of charge (apart from the materials for learning the rules and the purchase of a thermometer that displays decimal places) and has no health risks.
• This hormone-free contraception gives you the opportunity to protect your body and the female cycle get to know better.
• In addition to contraception, she can also help you if you want to have children.

Disadvantage:

• This method of contraception without hormones requires a high level of self-discipline, as you have to measure your basal temperature at the same time every day!
• It is possible that disruptive factors hinder the reliable evaluation: for example, irregular periods of sleep, excessive alcohol consumption or illness. The effects of such factors are individual.
• It also takes a few cycles of practice in order to safely learn the somewhat complex method and to be able to draw the right conclusions.

You can find more information on the Website of the professional association of gynecologists. Before you decide on a method of contraception without hormones, you should definitely seek detailed advice from a doctor to clarify which method suits you and your body best.

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