Contraception

It is important that you find the type of contraception that best suits your individual circumstances. Women and men without steady partners often find different methods of contraception suitable than couples in long term relationships. So, contraception methods can change several times over the course of your life.

There are many different contraceptives, which have varying degrees of efficacy. Very efficient contraceptives are the pill and coil. Condoms and diaphragms can also be efficient, if used correctly.

Overview of contraception

With hormones:

  • The pill, hormone coil, three month injection, vaginal ring, implant, contraceptive patch
    There are many different types of contraceptive pills (mini pills, one phase pills, two phase pills etc.).

Without hormones:

  • Coils, condoms for men, condoms for women, diaphragms, copper coil, natural family planning (“NFP” = Temperature and mucus measurement)
    Condoms not only protect you against pregnancy but also sexually transmitted infections (Hepatitis, HIV/Aids etc.).

Permanent contraception through operation:

  • Sterilization for man or woman

Unsuitable means and methods:

  • Contraceptive suppositories or gels, calculation of fertile days using the calendar (Knaus-Ogino method or rhythm method) or small computers, “pulling out” (Coitus interrruptus)
    Warning: these methods are very unreliable and not suitable for contraception!

Questions for deciding on a contraceptive method

  • How important to me is the highest possible efficacy? Would it be very bad if I got pregnant now, or would it be possible?
  • Do I just want to protect against pregnancy or also sexually transmitted infections (e.g. Hepatitis, HIV/Aids and other “sexual diseases”)?
  • Would I consider using contraceptives with hormones?
  • What method of contraception fits in the best with my life at the moment? (Regular work and sleep times? Regular or occasional sex?)
  • How well do I know my body and the biological processes e.g. the menstruation cycle?
  • How much effort is it – e.g. regular doctor’s visits for prescription contraceptives?
  • What does the contraception cost? [Costs of contraception (as PDF)]
    => Girls who do not have private medical insurance receive contraception free of charge until the age of 20.

Emergency contraception: Morning after pill

If you have forgotten to take your pill, the condom ripped, or the contraception did not work for other reasons, there are possibilities to prevent a pregnancy, even after sexual intercourse. There are two “morning after pills” with different active ingredients and the “morning after coil”.

It is important to remember that all “morning after pills” work better the earlier they are taken – for best results in the first 24 hours. So go to a pharmacy as quickly as possible, and buy the morning after pill. A prescription is no longer required. The most frequently used morning after pill PiDaNa® (€ 18) can be taken up to a maximum of 72 hours and/or three days afterwards. The more expensive morning after pill, ellaOne® (€ 34) should be effective for 120 hours and/or five days. Girls up to the age of 20 do not need to pay for the morning after pill, if they have a prescription from the doctor. On evenings and weekends, you must go to the emergency medical service for this.

The coil can be used even on the fifth day after sexual intercourse. It is the most expensive method at € 130 to € 180. However, you can use it as contraception for three to five years.

Help in the case of unplanned pregnancy

In the case of an unplanned pregnancy, women, men and couples can receive a free consultation from a pregnancy advice center. There is a large range of independent and church advice centers. They inform you about legal rights and assistance programs before and after the birth, and can apply to the Mother and Child Foundation for financial support (Pregnancy and birth).

If a pregnant woman or a couple does/do not know whether they can have a child or not, the counselors help with the decision. The counselors must be neutral in this, and must not influence them in one direction or another (Unwanted pregnancy).

Contraception after birth

Six to eight weeks after the birth, women can get pregnant again. Even breastfeeding does not protect against pregnancy. If women do not want to have another child straight after the birth, they should use effective contraception.

Breastfeeding women should not take contraceptives with the hormone estrogen (“normal” pill, contraceptive ring etc.) as the estrogens change the composition of the milk and reduce the quantity of milk. Contraceptives with only the hormone progestogen (mini pill, pills without estrogen) can be taken. In addition, the copper coil, condoms or diaphragm are also possible. You must use condoms or a diaphragm correctly for effective protection. The size of the diaphragm must be readjusted after the birth. In the first few weeks after the birth, condoms also protect against infections.