The following table compares the effectiveness of different birth control methods. The column on the right shows the number of women out of 100 who will have an unplanned pregnancy in the first year of using a method. These numbers represent studies of real-life usage.
You can improve on the real-life failure rate of birth control methods by consistently using birth control methods as directed. However, even if used perfectly each time, a method will still fail to prevent a pregnancy in a certain number of women.
| Category | Method | Number of unplanned pregnancies among 100 typical users1 |
|---|---|---|
| Hormonal | Combination birth control pills |
8 |
Implant (Implanon)2 |
Fewer than 1 |
|
Injections (Depo-Provera) |
3 |
|
Transdermal patch |
8 |
|
Progestin-only pills (mini-pills) |
8 |
|
Vaginal ring |
8 |
|
| IUD | Levonorgestrel (LNg 20) IUD |
Fewer than 1 |
Copper T 380-A IUD |
Fewer than 1 |
|
| Barrier methods | Condom, male |
15 |
Withdrawal |
27 |
|
Condom, female |
21 |
|
Diaphragm with spermicide |
16 |
|
Spermicide alone |
29 |
|
Sponge with spermicide (no previous vaginal childbirth) |
16 |
|
Sponge with spermicide (after vaginal childbirth) |
32 |
|
Cervical cap (no previous vaginal childbirth) |
16 |
|
Cervical cap (after vaginal delivery) |
32 |
|
| Fertility awareness | Periodic abstinence and fertility awareness methods |
25 |
| Surgery | Vasectomy |
Fewer than 1 |
Tubal ligation or tubal implants |
Fewer than 1 |
|
| No birth control | No birth control |
85 |
The numbers shown in the above table show the typical use rates for the average population, including people who use their birth control very carefully and those who do not.
References
Citations
Trussell J (2004). The essentials of contraception: Efficacy, safety, and personal considerations. In RA Hatcher et al., eds., Contraceptive Technology, 18th ed., pp. 221–252. New York: Ardent Media.
Hatcher RA (2004). Depo-Provera injections, implants, and progestin-only pills (minipills). In RA Hatcher et al., eds., Contraceptive Technology, 18th ed., pp. 461–494. New York: Ardent Media.
Credits
| Author | Bets Davis, MFA |
| Editor | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Associate Editor | Michele Cronen |
| Associate Editor | Denele Ivins |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Last Updated | May 22, 2008 |
