World Contraception Day: Encouraging Sexual Health and Freedom

World contraception day has been celebrated since 2007, on the initiative of many different international health organisations and associations. The aim is simple yet ambitious: reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies by providing people with information and offering easier access to various methods of contraception. Each year, the message is clear: everybody should have the right to make informed decisions surrounding their body and their sex life.

This annual meeting also allows for said organisations to bring prevailing inequalities into the light. In some countries, access to contraception remains limited, sometimes even impossible. Elsewhere, a lack of education surrounding the subject, or persistent cultural taboos stop people from openly discussing contraception. The 26th September exists as a reminder that there is still a lot of work to do, even within societies where access to contraception is possible.

The statistics speak for themselves. According to the World Health Organisation, around 121 million unwanted pregnancies occur each year. These pregnancies can have serious medical, social and psychological consequences, ranging from inadequate care during pregnancy, all the way to abortions performed in improper conditions.

Beyond medical implications, contraception is a tool that offers freedom. It allows women and couples to build their lives around conscious decisions and not simply live by chance. It favours increased access to education, economic independence, personal development, and contributes to gender equality. This is exactly why we say that such a day isn’t limited to the field of healthcare, as it fits into a larger field of social justice.

We often associate contraception with the pill, but this is just one option amongst the many available. Nowadays, there are many different methods of contraception that are adapted to different lifestyles and health situations. Hormonal contraception includes the pill, but also the vaginal ring, the patch, the implant or even the injection. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) can be either hormonal or non hormonal (copper). Barrier methods, such as internal or external condoms, the diaphragm, or the cervical cap, offer instantaneous protection, and have the advantage of helping to protect against STIs.

There are also more permanent solutions, like tubal ligations or vasectomies, that are regarded as valid, sensible choices. There are some natural methods based on cycle tracking, but they are less reliable and demand added attention.

It’s important to remember that there’s no correct universal method of contraception. The best option is the one that fits into your lifestyle, personal needs and health, and is chosen ideally with the help of a professional.

Despite scientific advances, contraception remains steeped in prejudice. Some people still believe that the pill can make one sterile, even though fertility is generally regained a few weeks or months after coming off it. Others are convinced that condoms reduce sensations and therefore pleasure, even though the market is full of thinner, more innovative options that help to preserve, and in some cases even intensify sensations.

Another prevalent myth is that protection is the woman’s problem. As women continue to bear this burden, it’s important to remember that men also have a role to play, whether that be by wearing a condom, getting a vastectomy, or thanks to new solutions that may soon be entering the market. World contraception day is a precious occasion for us to dismantle these beliefs and light the path towards a more egalitarian dialogue.

The future of contraception is promising. There are numerous labs that are currently working on male contraception, whether this be hormonal pills, injectable gels or even testicular implants. These innovations can help to establish a greater level of equality between men and women by offering reliable, non permanent options.

New technologies also have a lot to contribute. Apps that help one to track their cycle coupled with connected devices, are already giving women more control over their body and a better understanding of their fertility. These tools haven’t yet replaced classic methods, but they do illustrate the current trend of making contraception more simple, personalised, and easily integrated into one’s daily life.

World contraception day is much more than a symbolic date: it reminds us of the importance of education, access to information and open dialogues. It shines a light on the progress that’s been made, but it also shows us the challenges still faced when trying to make sure that everybody has open access to contraception.

Contraception is so much more than a medical act, it’s also a question of human rights and personal dignity. The 26th of September exists as a reminder to us, but it can’t stop there. In schools, families, doctors offices, and especially in our continued discussions, we must continue this fight.