Based on a questionnaire, reporters of the EMNID Poll Institute interviewed 229 general practitioners and 237 practising gynaecologists by telephone. When questioned which method for family planning was, in the physicians' opinion, most frequently used and which was most frequently recommended by physicians, contraceptive pills were far ahead of any other method. Somewhat surprising was the fact that up to 36% of the interviewed physicians considered that the intrauterine device is either the most frequently used or the most recommended method. Even the quantity of reports on condoms being the most frequently used method was relatively high (8-10%). 6% of the questioned physicians stated NFP methods as being mainly used, and 10% of the physicians recommended these methods. NFP methods also held the fourth place preceded by contraceptive pills, IUD and condom in the 1985 EMNID survey. Among the NFP methods, body basal temperature was reported to be the most popular and most frequently recommended method. The sympto-thermal method which is world-wide proposed as first choice by the experts, is still fairly unknown. The results arising from this survey indicate the necessity for physicians to gain a more thorough knowledge of modern NFP methods. Unjustified prejudices should be removed, the high reliability, which may be achieved at present, should be propagated and the undeniable advantages of NFP methods should be pointed out. The possible difficulties due to the necessary abstinence during the fertile period should, however, be kept in mind.
