Condoms overtake the pill: German doctors set out facts against contraception myths

The German Medical Association (Bundesärztekammer, BÄK) has published a scientific overview of contraceptive methods. The statement “Contraception – assessment from a medical-scientific perspective” was adopted by its board on the recommendation of its Scientific Advisory Board; the association presented it on 16 October, and it appeared in the Deutsches Ärzteblatt. It assesses hormonal and non-hormonal methods for reliability, risks, benefits and protection against sexually transmitted infections. It explicitly does not favour any method. The trigger was a debate at the 129th German Medical Assembly in 2025 on preventing unintended pregnancies.

According to the BÄK, misinformation about contraception spreads faster than before via social media, where reliable content sits alongside advertising, one-sided portrayals and opinions from influencers without expertise. President Klaus Reinhardt therefore calls neutral, open-ended counselling more relevant than ever. Data from the Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG) for 2024 show how behaviour has shifted: 51 percent of couples aged 18 to 49 use condoms and 31 percent the pill, making the condom the most-used method. Pharmacies also dispense around 900,000 units of the morning-after pill each year, and the number is rising.

Men so far have only condoms and vasectomy. The association therefore calls for counselling that helps men take on more competence and responsibility for contraception, as well as research into new methods for men. “Reproductive self-determination and health, however, concern both sexes,” says Julia Gallwas, who led the working group. Advisory board chair Michael Hallek stresses: “Medical and school education are of particular importance.” Doctors should also be able to point to reliable information on their websites and social media channels.