Modern contraceptive methods: a new misleading definition.

Hubacher and Trussell propose a new definition of “modern” contraceptive method: “a product or medical procedure that interferes with reproduction from acts of sexual intercourse”. According to this definition, the authors classify themajority of the available methods as “modern”, whereas the fertility awareness methods are considered “non modern” [1]. This definition of “modern” is arbitrary and misleading. The common meaning of “modern” is the one provided by the Oxford Dictionary of English: “characterized by or using the most up-to-date techniques, ideas or equipment”. The World Health Organization, in a fact sheet about family planning (FP) updated in 2015, classifies fertility awareness methods as “modern methods” and withdrawal and calendar or rhythm method as “traditional methods” [2], in accordance with scientific publications about fertility awareness methods [3]. When discussing about lactational amenorrhea method, the authors state that “women must experience pregnancy to use it. Thus, it does not meet a logical criterion to be considered modern”. Again, they are arbitrarily changing the meaning of “modern”. For Hubacher and Trussell, the reason to redefine “modern” is to easily categorize FP methods. However, contraceptive methods are already classified in different useful ways, according to features such as effectiveness, Dear Editor: