A practical guide to hormonal and non-hormonal contraception
08 April 2025 | Comment(s) |
Emma Raposo
The pill, the patch, the ring, the coil... There are so many contraceptive methods that it's hard to know which one to choose. So which solution should you choose when you decide to use contraception? Here's an overview of the different options available, both hormonal and non-hormonal.
Contraception in Switzerland
A Swiss health survey carried out between 1992 and 2017 showed that 52% of women using contraception were taking the pill. In 2017, the figure had fallen to 31%. Even though the pill is on the decline, it remains the most popular solution for women. The top contraceptive choice is the condom, used by 42% of people.
The second place goes to the pill, used by 31% of women using contraception. The hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) for women (12%) and sterilisation for men (15%) take the third place. While the pill and the condom are the most common methods, other solutions exist that are better suited to certain needs.
Hormonal and non-hormonal contraception
Divided into two main families, hormonal and non-hormonal, contraception is the set of methods used to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
Hormonal contraception delivers hormones, i.e. oestrogens and/or progestogens, to block ovulation and thicken cervical mucus to block the passage of spermatozoa into the uterus. It also thins the endometrium to prevent the implantation of a fertilised egg. Hormonal contraception methods are:
Non-hormonal contraception mechanically prevents sperm and egg from meeting. Non-hormonal solutions include:
- The copper intrauterine device (IUD). Placed in the uterus by the doctor, this copper device creates an environment that is not conducive to the implantation of a fertilised egg in the uterine cavity. The woman's hormonal cycle is not disrupted, but periods may be heavier than usual. It is therefore not recommended for women who already have a heavy flow or painful periods. It should usually be changed after five years. The device can also be used as emergency contraception in the five days following unsafe sexual intercourse.
- The diaphragm. It covers the cervix and blocks the passage of spermatozoa. The diaphragm, which you insert yourself before each sexual encounter, must be used in combination with a spermicide that eliminates spermatozoa.
- The male and female condom. Condoms block the passage of spermatozoa into the vagina. While the male condom is placed on the penis, the female condom must be placed in the vagina. A quick reminder about sexual health: only female and male condoms can protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Female and male sterilisation. In women, sterilisation consists of tying up or placing rings on the fallopian tubes. In men, vasectomy is the ligation and cutting of the vas deferens, the sperm duct.
Natural methods of birth control
These natural methods involve the woman observing the signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile periods of her menstrual cycle. During the fertile periods, the couple abstain from intercourse or protect themselves with male condoms, for example. These methods of contraception are:
- The temperature method. Every morning when a woman wakes up, she takes her temperature and observes the fluctuation in her temperature curve. The temperature is slightly higher and stabilises at a plateau when ovulation has passed. This means that the infertile period has begun.
- The cervical mucus observation method or Billings method. This method is based on observation of the secretion and quality of the cervical mucus flowing to the vulva and the sensations it produces. These observations make it possible to distinguish the ovulation period.
- The sympto-thermal or self-observation methods (SOM). These methods combine temperature, observation of cervical mucus and various signs present during the days of ovulation, as well as self-palpation of the cervix.
The advantages and disadvantages of hormonal and non-hormonal contraception
Generally speaking, hormonal contraception is well tolerated by the women who use it, and remains an effective option for preventing unwanted pregnancies. It can reduce the amount and duration of menstrual bleeding. It can also have a positive effect on acne and excessive hair growth.
However, some side effects can occur. These can include nausea, headaches, weight gain and depression. In addition, hormonal contraception is contraindicated in certain cases, such as in the presence of cardiovascular risk factors. Finally, a link has been established between hormonal contraceptives and breast cancer. Progestins, synthetic hormones that stimulate breast cell growth, are to blame.
Non-hormonal contraception, on the other hand, is a good answer for people who want to stay away from hormones and their potential side-effects. It is also a good option for people with medical contraindications. More restrictive, certain types of non-hormonal contraception can sometimes require more discipline and greater knowledge of your cycle. These alternatives are therefore not recommended for young women starting out on their contraceptive journey. What's more, some non-hormonal devices, such as the copper coil, can make periods heavier or, in some cases, more painful.
How do I choose the most suitable contraceptive method?
As you can see, there are many options available, and no one method is better than another. Although statistics show that some methods of contraception are more effective, such as the implant and the hormonal IUD, with 99.9% and 99.8% efficacy respectively, it should be pointed out that this effectiveness is largely due to the appropriate use of these methods. The choice of contraception is above all a personal one, based on a number of factors to be discussed with your doctor: age, personal situation, relationship, presence of children, lifestyle, state of health and financial situation. The cost of contraception can sometimes weigh heavily on a person's budget. To help people cope with this financial burden, Groupe Mutuel offers Premium supplemental insurance, which exclusively covers part of contraception costs. In short, what is a good contraceptive solution for one person is not necessarily the best for another. For all these reasons, the choice of contraception is not just a medical decision, but a personal one that requires you to question your motivations, your desires and your future goals.
| To find out more about how Premium insurance can help you cover the costs of contraceptive methods, as well as the costs of other benefits, visit our dedicated page. |
