PIP: The number of women using contraception is increasing. There are today several methods of contraception available. Behavioral methods of contraception include coitus interruptus, not ideal for psychological reasons, the rhythm method, and the cervical mucus method; they all involve periodic sexual abstinence and need extended patient education. Barrier methods include the condom, the vaginal diaphragm, the cervical cap, and all types of spermicidal agents used locally; barrier contraception can be 97% effective when properly used. Effectiveness of the IUD is 90-99%; many women experience excessive bleeding and/or expulsion of the device. IUDs are not indicated for women with vaginal infections and must be removed if pregnancy occurrs. IUDs are indicated in multiparous, healthy women. Oral contraception is the most effective way to control fertility despite the well documented side effects. Contraceptive pills contain different doses of estrogen and progesterone, and must be prescribed only after careful medical examination. Postcoital contraception can be obtained either with ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel or with diethylstilbestrol; side effects are numerous. In 1976, sexual sterilization was the 3rd most frequent surgical procedure in the U.S. The procedure must be considered a permanent one despite the increasing number of reversal successes; psychological side effects are possible but rare. Induced abortion is used as contraception and is safest when performed during the earlier stages of pregnancy. Risk of maternal death is about the same as for delivery, or 12/100,100. Methods of abortion vary according to the length of gestation. It has been suggested that barrier methods of birth control and using abortion for failures is currently the safest approach to contraception. The choice of the best contraceptive method must be made by a doctor in accordance with the clinical history and the life style of the patient, and especially taking into consideration age and smoking habits.