A survey on the family planning behaviour in the Federal Republic of Germany was conducted by interviewers of the EMNID institute in 1985 (n = 1267) and 1989 (n = 950). The survey was carried out with women of 15 to 45 years of age. It was the aim of the 1989 study, to look into changes of the last four years generally and with regard to the increasing knowledge about AIDS. As the use of a combination of family planning methods has significantly increased in 1989, the overall percentage went very much beyond 100% (1985: 106.1% vs 1989: 138.5%). Hence, for comparison of the figures, we omitted any sociodemographic weighting. For each method, the percentage of the users is reported independently of any additional method used. The figures (%) for use of reversible methods of contraception 1985 vs 1989 were as follows: the pill (52.2/61.9), condom (10.0/24.8), IUD (14.1/10.8), withdrawal (5.8/6.6), mini-pill (1.7/6.5), NFP (8.8/6.0), locally applied chemical device (2.6/5.2), vaginal diaphragm (3.0/3.0). The frequency of sterilisation was 6.9 vs 5.7%; the frequency of unwanted pregnancies 26.6 vs 20.9%. 12.3% of the women aged 18-45 years stated, that family planning behaviour has changed in the last two years. 1/3 of these declared, that AIDS has played an important part in their decision. Answers to other questions are compared 1985 vs 1989, like "reasons for selecting a particular method", "need for use of contraceptives", "frequency of unwanted pregnancies" and "importance of natural methods".