In order to study the prevalence of various contraceptive methods in the city of Pelotas, in southern Brazil, an epidemiological survey was carried out with women ranging from 20 to 49 years of age. Among the 677 women, 455 (65.7%) were currently using some contraceptive method. Most of these women (85%) used one of two such methods: oral contraceptives (66.7%) and surgical sterilization (18.4%). Oral contraceptive usage was considered inadequate for smoking women over 35 years of age and/or those with systemic hypertension. No differences were found between the groups with regard to social class or who prescribed the method.