Contraception Effectiveness Chart
| 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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