Effectiveness Rate of Birth Control Methods
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. But even if used perfectly each
time, a method will still fail to prevent a pregnancy in a certain number of
women.
Effectiveness of birth control methods
| Category | Method | Number of unplanned
pregnancies out of 100 typical users
1,
2
| Number of unplanned pregnancies out of 100 people that used the method exactly as directed
1,
2
|
| Hormonal |
Combination birth control pills
|
8
|
Fewer than 1
|
|
Hormonal implant
|
Fewer than 1
|
Fewer than 1
|
|
The shot
|
3
|
Fewer than 1
|
|
Transdermal patch
|
8
|
Fewer than 1
|
|
Progestin-only pills (mini-pills)
|
8
|
Fewer than 1
|
|
Vaginal ring
|
8
|
Fewer than 1
|
| IUD |
Hormonal IUD
|
Fewer than 1
|
Fewer than 1
|
|
Copper IUD
|
Fewer than 1
|
Fewer than 1
|
| Barrier methods |
Condom, male
|
15
|
2
|
|
Withdrawal
|
27
|
4
|
|
Condom, female
|
21
|
5
|
|
Diaphragm with spermicide
|
16
|
6
|
|
Spermicide alone
|
29
|
18
|
|
Sponge with spermicide (no previous vaginal
childbirth)
|
16
|
9
|
|
Sponge with spermicide (after vaginal
childbirth)
|
32
|
20
|
|
Cervical cap (no previous vaginal
childbirth)
|
16
|
9
|
|
Cervical cap (after vaginal
delivery)
|
32
|
26
|
| Fertility awareness |
Periodic abstinence and fertility awareness
methods
|
25
|
5
|
| Surgery |
Vasectomy
|
Fewer than 1
|
Fewer than 1
|
|
Tubal ligation or tubal implants
|
Fewer than 1
|
Fewer than 1
|
| No birth control |
No birth control
|
85
|
85
|
The numbers shown in this table show the typical use
rates for the average population, including people who use their birth control
very carefully and those who do not.
Citations
-
Trussell J (2007). Choosing a contraceptive:
Efficacy, safety, and personal considerations. In RA Hatcher et al., eds.,
Contraceptive Technology, 19th ed., pp. 19–47. New
York: Ardent Media.
-
Abramowicz M (2010). Choice of contraceptives. Treatment Guidelines From the Medical Letter, 8(100): 89–96.
|
By
| Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
| Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
| Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
|
Last Revised
| May 3, 2012 |
Last Revised:
May 3, 2012
Trussell J (2007). Choosing a contraceptive:
Efficacy, safety, and personal considerations. In RA Hatcher et al., eds.,
Contraceptive Technology, 19th ed., pp. 19–47. New
York: Ardent Media.
Abramowicz M (2010). Choice of contraceptives. Treatment Guidelines From the Medical Letter, 8(100): 89–96.
