In a society whose needs are constantly changing, family planning plays a central role for women, men, and sustainable development. This comprehensive review and position statement summarises the proceedings of a meeting on contraception held in Rome in March 2024, supported by major scientific societies in the field. The aim is to inform the medical community about current medical and ethical issues of contraception use. First, the review addresses the complex ethical, religious, and social dimensions of contraceptive use and access; second, it provides a comprehensive analysis of traditional and modern contraceptive methods, discussing their safety and effectiveness; third, it examines current knowledge about male hormonal contraception. When prescribing a contraceptive method, medical indications or contraindications must be integrated to women's religious beliefs, the geopolitical context in which they live, the risk of violence, their need for self-determination and their right to make decisions for themselves. If a partner is involved, the couple's dynamics and shared needs must be considered. Healthcare providers are responsible for providing them with all the information they need to make informed choices, while ensuring individual autonomy. This position statement provides recommendations on how to guide contraceptive choice and identifies knowledge gaps about contraception today.
Keywords: Hormonal contraception; fertility awareness-bas ed methods; male contraception; unmet need for family planning; violence against women.
Safe contraception and family planning access are a fundamental human right and are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the World of the United Nations.This review focuses on the multifaceted issue of contraception, addressing the ethical, medical, religious, and social dimensions of contraceptive use. Fertility awareness-based methods, which are compatible with the teachings of most world religions, are usually compared with hormonal methods in terms of safety, efficacy, and ethics. Side effects and non-contraceptive benefits of hormonal contraception (HC) are discussed in detail.In general, current guidelines for HC often lag behind technological advances. New therapies with increasingly safe estrogens and progestins have been developed, and further safety studies should be conducted that could eventually open the door for their use in at-risk populations.