Without hormones, hormone-free alternatives to the pill are also safe

Contraception also possible without hormones

Over half of Germans rely on the anti-baby pill when it comes to contraception. But taking the drug is associated with unpleasant side effects. Some women do not tolerate it. However, there are several alternatives that cause no or less burden on your health.

More than half of the Germans used the pill
In Germany and many other countries, contraception with pill and condom is preferred. A few years ago, a study by the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) found that about 53 percent of sexually active adults use contraceptive pills and about 37 percent use condoms. The experts also stated that "the frequent double use of the two contraceptive methods" is striking.

According to BZgA the pill is considered very safe. It also regulates the cycle and reduces heavy menstrual bleeding. The drug is not suitable for all women. The President of the Federation of Gynecologists, Christian Albring, said in a message from the news agency dpa: "The pill is generally not recommended for girls and women who do not reliably keep to the daily intake, and where health risks such as a tendency to thrombosis consist."

Pill with unpleasant side effects
Women who can not tolerate a particular pill and experience side effects such as bleeding, weight gain, or decreased sexual desire may be looking to switch to another hormone supplement, Albring said. Because "the" pill does not exist. In the offer are very different compound variants. "If one type of pill is completely unsuitable for a girl or a woman, another can be the ideal solution," said the gynecologist. In recent years it has been reported that third and fourth generation contraceptives are often associated with more serious side effects than older drugs. In the future, a hormone chip for women may also be available for contraception. Researchers have been working on the development of this method for a long time. And Japanese scientists recently reported on their research into the pill for men. However, so far they only tested them on mice.

Alternatives to hormonal contraception
There are already alternatives to hormonal contraception. The gynecologist Helga Seyler of the Family Planning Center Hamburg calls in the dpa report "barrier methods" such as condoms, the copper spiral or natural contraceptive methods. Alternative number one is the condom. It also has the advantage of being the only contraceptive that also protects against sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV infection. If condoms are used correctly and the size fits, they are considered safe according to the BZgA. Although other barrier methods, such as the diaphragm or the cervical cap, do not play a major role in contraception, they may be of interest to some women. You can have the corresponding cap customized in a doctor's office or counseling center. "If the cap is properly adjusted and used properly, it is a reliable contraceptive," says Seyler.

Copper chain and spiral
Less known and widespread is the so-called copper chain for preventing. This consists of a nylon thread, which is equipped with small copper cylinders. Both copper chain and copper spiral are inserted into the uterus and can stay there for up to five years. According to Seyler, recent studies indicate that the copper spiral is even safer to prevent than the pill. Although Christian Albring holds both methods equally safe, but: "Unlike the pill, you can not forget the spiral, but it can slip."

Even with the spiral there are risks and side effects. Thus, the menstrual period often becomes stronger, and it can lead to allergic reactions. The copper spiral is - due to its size - usually recommended to women who have already delivered a baby. "If younger women want to prevent a spiral, then you have to discuss it very well," Seyler said. For women who have not yet had a child, according to Albring may possibly be a new smaller version of a hormone spiral suitable. This would have to be changed more often.

Very natural methods
From a naturopathic point of view, the Mexican Wild Yam (in German: "Mexican wild yam") should be mentioned as an alternative. The active ingredient played a crucial role in the invention of contraceptive pills and in the medicine of Mexican primitive folk yam root has been used for generations to prevent but also to treat other diseases. If couples want to abstain from using hormonal or material remedies altogether, they can use the "symptothermal method": the woman measures her body temperature every day and at the same time observes changes in her vaginal fluid (vaginal discharge) in order to determine her fertile days.

On the fertile days, the couples then have to forgo sex or use condoms. An expert group has developed a standardized method of this method. This "Sensiplan" can be learned in courses. Meanwhile, there are also some apps that help to correctly evaluate the data from the symptothermal method. According to BZgA, natural contraceptive methods can also be used relatively safely if you are consistent and do everything right. (Ad)