As more women in France choose to avoid hormonal contraception, including the birth control pill, a growing number are not using any form of contraception at all. This trend has been observed by Nathalie Bajos, a research director at Inserm and president of the National Council on AIDS and Viral Hepatitis. She reports that in 2023, nearly one in ten women (9%) used no contraception for their sexual relations, a figure that has been rising since the mid-2010s. This shift reflects broader changes in how women approach contraception and reproductive health. In mid-September, the French drug agency ANSM announced that 1.6 million women who had taken a contraceptive containing desogestrel would receive letters informing them of a slightly increased risk of developing a meningioma, a type of brain tumor. The pills containing the hormone desogestrel (such as Antigone, Cerazette, Elfasette, and Optimizette) carry a "low" risk, but this news has further fueled skepticism and concern about the pill's safety. This has contributed to a growing disaffection with hormonal contraception in France. Nathalie Bajos explains that several factors are behind the increased non-use of contraception. Financial barriers are a major issue, particularly for women from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds and migrant women. Additionally, the controversy surrounding third-generation contraceptive pills has intensified a movement against hormonal methods, with a growing desire to avoid medicalized contraception and share the responsibility of contraception with partners. The trend of non-use has mostly affected younger women. Although barrier methods like condoms or diaphragms are available, they are not being used as frequently, reflecting deeper changes in how people view contraception. Younger generations tend to have more sexual partners and engage in less penetration-focused sex, including more same-sex relationships, which are less compatible with methods like the pill. This shift in sexual behavior has contributed to the decline in traditional contraceptive use. The non-use of contraception is a complex issue with multiple causes. While rising rates of unwanted pregnancies and abortions suggest that contraceptive coverage may be worsening, it is also important to consider that many women, especially younger ones, are more likely to interrupt an unplanned pregnancy than before. There has also been a resurgence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young people, and many lack reliable information about contraception. Some anti-pill discourses spread misleading claims, such as "the pill kills," but the broader movement advocating for a more shared approach to contraception and less medicalization should not be ignored. Condoms are used less frequently during first sexual encounters and with new partners, which is crucial for STI prevention. Few people use condoms as a contraceptive method. There has also been an increase in the use of natural methods like withdrawal or tracking fertility cycles, which are less effective than other forms of contraception. These methods increase the risk of unintended pregnancies and STIs, but it is important that women are informed about their limitations. From a public health perspective, it is better to use any method than none at all. The most effective contraceptive method is the one that best fits an individual's needs. Theoretical effectiveness may differ from practical effectiveness, and a young woman who faces social pressure against sexual activity may hide or forget her pill. It is up to individuals to choose the contraception that works best for them. Women who cannot afford contraception should have easy and free access to it, and both men and women should be able to choose what suits them best. No contraceptive method is completely risk-free, nor is there an ideal method for everyone.