Effectiveness Rate of Birth Control Methods
Skip to the navigationTopic 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 methods| Type | 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
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerSarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerFemi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Current as ofMarch 16, 2017
Current as of:
March 16, 2017
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.