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The use of contraceptive methods seems so old that it is difficult to know precisely when human beings first wanted to control their fertility. However, two major changes have been observed over time. In the mid-18 th century in France and during the 19 th century in Europe, the "first contraceptive revolution" was characterized by the adoption of "withdrawal" by married couples. The "second contraceptive revolution" took place from the second half of the 20 th century, with the gradual spread of the pill and the Intra-Uterine Device (IUD) among different social groups. Since then, contraceptive practices have been largely medicalized, and fertility control has become an exclusively female responsibility., (© 2021 médecine/sciences – Inserm.)