| Contraceptive Method | Definition | Type | Failure* Rate |
| Birth Control Pill (Oral Contraceptive) | A hormone pill taken by mouth. | Hormone | 8% |
| Injection | A hormone injection given every 1-3 months. | Hormone | 3% |
| Emergency Contraception | An emergency, high dose of birth control pills taken within 72 hours (three days) of sex. | Hormone | 11-25% |
| Intraueterine Device (IUD) | Plastic device placed inside the uterus that contains copper or hormones. | Hormone/Chemical | <1% |
| Implant | Small rod inserted under the skin of a woman that releases a low dose of hormone. | Hormone | <1% |
| Male Condom | A thin, latex, or polyurethane (plastic) tube that covers the penis. | Barrier | 15% |
| Female Condom | A polyurethane (plastic) tube or pouch that lines the inside of the vagina. | Barrier | 21% |
| Cervical Cap | A small rubber or plastic cup that fits over the cervix. | Barrier | 16-32% |
| Diaphragm | A round rubber dome inserted inside the vagina to cover the cervix. | Barrier | 16% |
| Contraceptive Sponge | A foam sponge containing spermicide placed inside the vagina. | Barrier | 16-32% |
| Spermicide | A cream, foam, jelly, or insert placed into the vagina that kills sperm. | Barrier | 29% |
| Contraceptive Patch | A hormone patch placed on the female's skin weekly for 3 weeks, (followed by 1 week off.) | Hormone | 8% |
| Vaginal Contraceptive Ring | A hormonal ring placed into the vagina for 3 weeks (followed by 1 week off). | Hormone | 8% |
| Natural Family Planning/Fertility Awareness Method | Avoiding sex near the time of ovulation, when pregnancy is most likely to occur. | Other | 12-25% |
| Sterilization | Permanent surgery that blocks the pathways of egg or sperm. | Other | <1% |
| Withdrawal | Male removes his penis from the vagina prior to ejaculation. | Other | 27% |
*Percentage of females who experience an unintended pregnancy during the 1st year of typical use.
Source: 4Parents.gov (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services)
For added protection against pregnancy, you can use more than one method of contraception at a time. For example, many clinicians recommend that when using condoms, spermicides be used as well. If a woman is allergic to spermicides she can use a natural method and a condom and for extra protection. Any of these combinations will reduce the predicted failure rate.
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