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Birth Control

Effectiveness/Failure Rates of Birth Control Methods

Here is a comparison of the various types of birth control and their effectiveness in preventing pregnancy. The rates listed are the failure rates of each method (or the percent of pregnancies that method did not prevent) and apply when they are used according the manufacturers’ directions and in full compliance.

Method Action Failure
Rate

Sterilization:

Male Sterilization 0.1%

Female Sterilization 0.5%

Hormonal Methods:

Implant (Norplant) 0.09%

Hormone Shot (Depo-Provera) 0.3%

Combined Pill (Estrogen/Progestin) 0.1%

Minipill (Progestin only) 0.5%

Intrauterine Devices (IUDs):

Copper T 0.6%

Progesterone T 1.5%

Barrier Methods:

Male Latex Condom¹ 3%

Diaphragm² 9%

Vaginal Sponge (no previous births)³ 9%

Vaginal Sponge (previous births)³ 20%

Cervical Cap (no previous births)² 9%

Cervical Cap (previous births)² 26%

Female Condom 5%

Spermicide: (gel, foam, suppository, film) 6%

Natural Methods:

Withdrawal 4%

Natural Family Planning
(calendar, temperature, cervical mucus) 1-9%

No Method: 85%

¹without spermicide, ²with spermicide, ³contains spermicide

The only 100% effective form of birth control (or 0% failure rate) is abstinence (not having sexual intercourse).