The creation of the contraceptive pill in the 1960s is one of the 50 dates that most influenced humanity. Since their appearance, contraceptive methods have continually improved – in their composition, in the technology of the methods and in additional non-contraceptive benefits – in pursuit of ever more individualised contraception. It's thought that over the last decades women's knowledge of contraceptive methods is significantly greater. How is it in reality? Is there really still a need to talk about contraception? “Baby boomer” and Generation Y women. To find out what has changed in women's knowledge between two different generations – Generation Y women (aged 21 to 29) and the “baby boomer” generation (aged 50 to 65) when these women were in their twenties – a study was carried out in 9 countries of Europe, North and South America. 9,000 women were surveyed, 1,000 in each country. The main topics compared were women's goals, lifestyle, contraceptive choices and knowledge of contraception. The study's conclusions announced the following facts:

• The contraceptive method most commonly used by women in their twenties today and 30–45 years ago is the oral contraceptive pill (67% of Generation Y and 76% of baby boomers in their twenties);
• In second place is the condom (39% of Generation Y and 20% of baby boomers);
• The main contraception concern for baby-boomer women in their twenties was remembering to take the pill each day (47%), while for Generation Y women in their twenties it was the effect of synthetic hormones (46%);
• Although they made the same choices about contraceptive method, Generation Y and the baby boomers have different lifestyle priorities: the three most important areas for Generation Y are studies, career and wellbeing, while for baby-boomer women they are career, wellbeing and marriage.

Half of women lack knowledge.

Both generations have a low level of knowledge about how long-term contraception methods work (46% Generation Y and 58% baby boomers), while women of both generations knew more about how the contraceptive pill works (only 29% in both generations indicated that they don't understand how the contraceptive pill works). About half the women of both generations (44% Generation Y and 50% baby boomers) said they don't have enough information about contraceptive methods to make a correct, informed contraceptive choice. Women also indicated that a lack of discussion with the doctor, or a lack of effective discussion, is the main reason they lack information about contraception. The first reason Generation Y representatives identified was that their doctor doesn't discuss all the possible methods with them (28%). Among other reasons named were the following:

• I never asked my doctor about the contraceptive methods available (20%);
• The doctor has a firm conviction about which contraception a woman should use (17%);
• I don't feel comfortable talking to my doctor about contraception (10%);
• I can't find enough sources of information (10%);
• A lack of time to talk to the doctor enough about contraception (8%).

Baby-boomer women named discomfort talking to their gynaecologist about contraception as the main reason (25%). Other reasons given were:

• The doctor doesn't want to discuss all the methods (15%);
• Not finding enough sources of information (14%);
• The doctor has a firm conviction about which contraception a woman should use (14%);
• A lack of time to talk to the doctor enough about contraception (4%).

The doctor's influence – most important in the choice.

The study also revealed that, despite the consultations being insufficiently effective, women of both generations agreed that their choice of contraception was most influenced by their gynaecologist (77% of Generation Y and 84% of baby boomers named their doctor as one of the main opinion-shapers when choosing a contraceptive method). So the study revealed that, even though modern women have a far greater choice of contraceptive methods and much more freely available information, the situation hasn't changed much in 30–40 years. Young women still admit that they lack information about contraception to decide and choose which method suits them best, and that they lack discussion, or effective discussion, with their gynaecologist – and it's precisely this lack that is the main reason for the low level of awareness. The study's results could be seen as proof to doctors that contraception still remains a relevant topic that needs to be discussed a great deal and effectively. “The desired contraceptive method, age, type of relationship, weight, family medical history or medical risks – all this needs to be taken into account when choosing a contraceptive method. But if a woman doesn't have full, evidence-based information, it will be hard for her to choose the right method correctly. That's why information is essential to avoid unwanted pregnancy in a planned way,” doctors confirm. Different women have different contraceptive needs. The choice is influenced by contraindications, unwanted side effects, convenience and accessibility of use, non-contraceptive benefits, protection against sexually transmitted infections and partner involvement. Still, the gynaecologist has the greatest opportunity of all to give a woman the information she needs to choose a contraceptive method.