Non-hormonal contraception

Worldwide non-hormonal methods (NHM) are the most commonly used forms of contraception. These methods include a variety of techniques to prevent pregnancy that encompass the spectrum from those that require skilled clinical intervention and are amongst the most reliable, such as intra-uterine devices, to those that require only an understanding of the menstrual cycle such of natural family planning. There are many reasons why a woman and her partner(s) may consider NHM options. For some women hormonal options may be contraindicated because of a medical condition. Other women may experience unwanted side-effects from hormones and NHM may be the only choice they will consider. Some of the NHM provide a long term, inexpensive and reliable way of preventing pregnancy. Others may like the fact that many of the non-hormonal options neither interfere with a woman’s fertility, nor with the normal menstrual cycle. Male and female sterilizations are not included in this review and will be covered in a later issue of the journal.