DEFRITEN
 
 
   There are various hormone-free contraceptive methods  
 
 
 
Hormone-free contraception
Hormone-free contraception covers all contraceptive methods and contraceptives that work without hormones. They can be divided into four groups.
 
In our article, we explain everything about contraceptive reliability as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the individual contraceptive methods.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Last updated on 03.06.2025 
 
 
Only the pill is really safe? This rumour persisted for a long time. But in recent years, hormone-free contraception has been in vogue. And rightly so! Many women are fed up with the side effects of the pill & other hormonal contraceptives such as the three-month injection, the hormonal implant, the contraceptive patch or the contraceptive ring. Sterilisation is out of the question, as they may still want to get pregnant later.
 
  Banner with the message: your cycle can be your best friend.  
 
We show you which hormone-free contraceptive methods exist, how reliable the methods without hormones are, and which ones you had better not rely on!
  
Contraception without hormones: which methods are there?
 
The following contraceptive methods and contraceptives without hormones are distinguished:
 
     
  1. Natural contraception: this includes all contraceptive methods that work without hormones, chemicals or interventions in the female body. Among them are the methods of natural family planning (NFP), first and foremost the symptothermal method and the basal body temperature method. But unreliable methods such as the calendar method (Knaus-Ogino method) or coitus interruptus also count among the natural contraceptive methods without hormones.
    2.  
  2. Mechanical barrier methods: this includes all hormone-free contraceptive methods that create a mechanical barrier between egg and sperm in order to prevent pregnancy. The mechanical barrier methods include the condom, the diaphragm, the cervical cap and all copper-based intrauterine devices such as the copper IUD, copper chain or copper ball.
    3.  
  3. Chemical barrier methods: the chemical barrier methods are suppositories, tablets, contraceptive gels or creams that contain chemical substances to kill, slow down or obstruct sperm cells. They are rarely used as the sole contraceptive, but usually together with a diaphragm or cervical cap.
    4.  
  4. Sterilisation: this includes the vasectomy, i.e. severing the vas deferens in men, as well as female sterilisation, i.e. severing the fallopian tubes or removing the fimbriae at the end of the fallopian tube.
    5.  
 
Hormone-free contraception with natural family planning
 
Natural contraception is based on knowing when the infertile and fertile days in the female cycle are. When people talk about natural contraception, they usually mean natural family planning, or NFP for short. The best-known natural methods for hormone-free contraception without chemicals, hormones or interventions in the female body are the following:
 
     
  • Symptothermal method: it is considered the most reliable method of natural family planning. With this method, you measure your basal body temperature with a basal thermometer and combine this ovulation sign with the analysis of your cervical mucus or your cervix. These are indicators of the timing of your ovulation and your fertile days.
    •  
  • Temperature method: here, only the basal body temperature is analysed, without the security of a second, reliable ovulation symptom.1
    •  
  •  Billings method (cervical mucus method): this is the examination of the cervical mucus alone as a sign of ovulation.2
    •  
 
Advantages:
 
     
  • No intervention in the natural cycle.
    •  
  • Awareness of your own body is created.
    •  
  • Can also be used when trying to conceive.
    •  
  • Pearl Index with 'perfect use' comparable to that of the pill, depending on the method.5
    •  
 
Disadvantages:
 
     
  • The method has to be learned.
    •  
  • During the fertile days, you have to avoid sex or use additional contraception, hormone-free of course.
    •  
 
Reliability: depending on the method, the Pearl Index with 'perfect use' is between 0.3 and 40. The symptothermal method, with a Pearl Index of 0.3, is the most reliable method of natural contraception. The temperature method has a Pearl Index of 1-3. The calendar method, on the other hand, is unreliable with a Pearl Index of 15-40 and is listed again below among the unreliable methods.5
 
Contraceptive computers such as cyclotest myWay take over the analysis of your fertile days and can thus make natural contraception reliable and simple. They can therefore replace the cumbersome cycle diary or cycle sheets.
 
 
 
cyclotest myWay has a Pearl Index of 1 to 1.7 when using the temperature method. When using the symptothermal method, cyclotest myWay is just as efficient at determining the fertile period as the Sensiplan® method, which has a Pearl Index of 0.3 to 0.4 with perfect use.6
 
 
Contraception without hormones with contraceptive computers
 
Contraceptive computers can support hormone-free contraception. These practical helpers take the manual effort off your hands. Contraceptive computers have an integrated basal thermometer and take over the analysis of your fertile days.
 
Do you know cyclotest myWay? A contraceptive computer that supports you with temperature measurement and data analysis. Entering further cycle characteristics, such as cervical mucus or the result of an ovulation test, is easy.
 
A contraceptive computer is particularly well suited for women who are still unsure as beginners in natural contraception. Using the morning temperature measurement it automatically records the essential cycle data.
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
  cyclotest myWay symptothermal cycle computer  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
Copper IUD, copper ball & co. as an alternative to the pill
 
The copper IUD (a hormone-free coil or intrauterine device), the copper chain or the copper ball (also called copper pearl ball) are built differently, but their principle of action is the same: they are all based on the effect of the copper ions in the copper, which inhibit sperm and their motility. If an egg is fertilised despite copper contraception, implantation in the uterus is prevented by the change in the uterine lining.
 
    
The copper IUD is inserted into the uterus by a gynaecologist.
 
Advantages:
 
     
  • New forms such as the copper chain (Gynefix) are also suitable for younger women.
    •  
  • Continuous daily protection for 3-5 years.
    •  
 
Disadvantages:
 
     
  • Increased risk of infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes after insertion.
    •  
  • Menstrual disorders, spotting or menstrual complaints are common.
    •  
  • Not possible in case of intolerance or allergy to copper.
    •  
  • Expulsion in about 1 in 20 women.
    •  
  • Risk of perforation of the uterus.
    •  
 
Reliability: the Pearl Index for the copper IUD & co. is 0.9-3.5
 
Barrier methods as hormone-free contraceptive protection
 
If you do not fancy a foreign body in your uterus, the chemical and mechanical barrier methods remain:
 
     
  • The condom: when it comes to barrier methods, most people think of the condom first. The condom is probably also the most widespread. Condoms for men have the great advantage that they also protect against numerous diseases and infections. The Pearl Index is acceptable.5
    •  
 
Advantages:
 
     
  • Protection against sexually transmitted diseases and infections.
    •  
  • Can be used in combination with natural contraception.
    •  
  • No intervention in the body's natural processes.
    •  
 
Disadvantages:
 
     
  • Allergic reactions possible.
    •  
  • Risk of pregnancy if used incorrectly.
    •  
  • Pearl Index only acceptable.5
    •  
 
Reliability: the male condom has a Pearl Index of 4-5.5
 
     
  • Diaphragm and cervical cap with contraceptive gel: the diaphragm and the cervical cap have to be placed in front of or on the cervix and used together with a spermicide. The spermicide is a contraceptive gel that inhibits sperm in order to achieve sufficient reliability. Using a diaphragm or the cap requires some practice, but you can get instructions from your gynaecologist. The Pearl Index for diaphragm and spermicide is 2-4. For the cervical cap it is 6.5
    •  
  • Female condom: the female condom is similar to a condom and is placed in the vagina. This condom thus prevents sperm from reaching the uterus. The Pearl Index here is 5-10.5
    •  
 
    
 
Unreliable contraceptive methods without hormones
 
The unreliable hormone-free contraceptive methods include the following:
 
     
  • Coitus interruptus: so-called withdrawal is, strictly speaking, not a contraceptive method at all. It is based solely on the man withdrawing the penis from the vagina before ejaculation. The disadvantage is therefore obvious. That is why the Pearl Index for this contraceptive method is 8-38.5
    •  
  • Knaus-Ogino method, also called the calendar method: this contraceptive method calculates the average cycle length of the shortest and longest cycle in the last 6 to 12 months. Ovulation is then assumed to be in the middle of the cycle. The catch: the cycle length can fluctuate from cycle to cycle, and with it ovulation.
    •  
 
 The widely used ovulation calculators also rely on the calendar method. So do not use them for contraception!
 
Why should I use hormone-free contraception?
 
Whether you want to use hormone-free contraception or not is above all up to you and your partner. Contraception without hormones has many advantages, especially compared to the pill & co:
 
     
  • Free of hormones: non-hormonal contraception does without the side effects that the pill, for example, brings with it. These include an increased risk of thrombosis (as the pill report shows, for example). Many women cannot take hormones for health reasons. For them, the symptothermal method, for example, offers a reliable contraceptive alternative.
    •  
  • Easier pregnancy planning: many women who stop taking the pill struggle with cycle disorders or corpus luteum insufficiency in the first months. If you choose a natural contraceptive method, for example, it can even help you get pregnant faster.
    •  
 
What is important when choosing a contraceptive?
 
safe, reliable: 38 %
 
 
 
 
 
simple, practical, convenient: 31 %
 
 
 
 
 
few side effects: 17 %
 
 
 
 
 
 Reasons for choosing a contraceptive. Basis: population using contraception, aged 18 to 49, in Germany. Multiple answers possible.3
 
FAQs on hormone-free contraception at a glance
 
 
 
  
 
 
Depending on which method is used, the Pearl Index for hormone-free contraceptive methods with 'perfect use' can be between 0.3 and 40. The most reliable hormone-free contraceptive method is the symptothermal method with a Pearl Index of 0.3.5
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
In addition to the mechanical and chemical barrier methods, you can, for example, also use natural family planning for contraception. We explain how this works here.
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Which contraception without hormones is best depends on your personal requirements for the respective contraceptive method. In any case, you should discuss the choice of hormone-free contraception together with your partner. We show you the options available here.
 
 
 
 
 
Sources:
 
     
  •  1 Malteser Arbeitsgruppe Natürliche Familienplanung (Hrsg.): Natürlich und sicher. Das Praxisbuch. 18. Auflage. Stuttgart 2011. 
    •  
  •  2 G. et. al: State-of-the-art of non-hormonal methods of contraception: IV. Natural family planning. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care 15:113-123. 2010. 
    •  
  •  3 Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (Hrsg.): Verhütungsverhalten Erwachsener. Ergebnisse der Repräsentativbefragung. Köln 2011. 
    •  
  •  4 Gnoth, C. et al.: Time to pregnancy: results of the German prospective study and impact on the management of infertility. Human Reproduction 18: 1959–66. 2003. 
    •  
  •  5 Diedrich, K. et al.: Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe. 2. Auflage, S. 126. Heidelberg 2007. 
    •  
  •  6 Clinical evaluation in accordance with the European Medical Device Directive 93/42/EEC & MEDDEV 2.7.1. Cyclotest myWay und Cyclotest my Sense APP. 2019. 
    •