Effectiveness Rate of Birth Control Methods
Topic Overview
This table compares how well different birth control methods work. The column on the right shows how many women out of 100 will have an unplanned pregnancy in the first year of using a method. These numbers reflect 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 with perfect use, a method will still fail to prevent a pregnancy in a certain number of women.
Effectiveness of birth control methodsType | Method used | Number of unplanned pregnancies out of 100 typical usersfootnote 1, footnote 2 | Number of unplanned pregnancies out of 100 people that used the method exactly as directedfootnote 1, footnote 2 |
|---|
Hormonal | Combination birth control pills | 9 | Fewer than 1. |
Hormonal implant | Fewer than 1. | Fewer than 1. |
The shot | 6 | Fewer than 1. |
Transdermal patch | 9 | Fewer than 1. |
Progestin-only pills (mini-pills) | 9 | Fewer than 1. |
Vaginal ring | 9 | Fewer than 1. |
IUD | Hormonal IUD | Fewer than 1. | Fewer than 1. |
Copper IUD | Fewer than 1. | Fewer than 1. |
Barrier methods | Condom, male | 18 | 2 |
Withdrawal | 22 | 4 |
Condom, female | 21 | 5 |
Diaphragm with spermicide | 12 | 6 |
Spermicide alone | 28 | 18 |
Sponge with spermicide (no previous vaginal childbirth) | 12 | 9 |
Sponge with spermicide (after vaginal childbirth) | 24 | 20 |
Cervical cap (no previous vaginal childbirth) | 16 | 9 |
Cervical cap (after vaginal delivery) | 32 | 26 |
Fertility awareness | Periodic abstinence and fertility awareness methods | 24 | 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. This includes people who use their birth control very carefully and those who do not.
References
Citations
- Trussell J, Guthrie KA (2011). Choosing a contraceptive: Efficacy, safety, and personal considerations. In RA Hatcher et al., eds., Contraceptive Technology, 20th ed., pp. 45–74. Atlanta: Ardent Media.
- Abramowicz M (2010). Choice of contraceptives. Treatment Guidelines From The Medical Letter, 8(100): 89–96.
Credits
Current as of: February 11, 2020
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Sarah A. Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC, FACOG - Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology
Current as of: February 11, 2020
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Sarah A. Marshall, MD - Family Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC, FACOG - Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology
Trussell J, Guthrie KA (2011). Choosing a contraceptive: Efficacy, safety, and personal considerations. In RA Hatcher et al., eds., Contraceptive Technology, 20th ed., pp. 45-74. Atlanta: Ardent Media.
Abramowicz M (2010). Choice of contraceptives. Treatment Guidelines From The Medical Letter, 8(100): 89-96.
