For individuals, friends and families who are looking to connect during life's challenging times. Share personal experiences, evaluate information and get support during times of need, illness, treatment or recovery.
Sponsored Links
Main Menu
Healthy Sex
- Contraceptive Failure
- Birth Control Comparisons
- Contraceptive Failure Rates for Teens
- Human Reproduction
- STD Prevention
- Sexual Abstinence
Contraception For Women
- Barrier Contraceptives
- Oral Contraceptive Pills
- Hormonal Contraceptives
- Intrauterine Devices
- Female Sterilization
- Essure Micro-Insert
Contraception For Men
Natural Family Planning
- Download basal body temperature charts
- Sympto-Thermal Method
- Standard Days Method
- Breastfeeding for Birth Control
Ineffective Contraception
Abortion
Online Resources
Understanding Your Risks
Contraceptive Failure Rates for Teens
The chart below compares some of the reversible contraceptives discussed in this guide. Each method is listed with its failure rate for women aged 18-19, based on data from two large studies (National Survey of Family Growth). The "one year" failure rate is the percentage of women who become pregnant after one year of using the method listed. The "two year" rate is the percentage of women who have become pregnant after two years of using the method listed. The percentage
The probability of a contraceptive failure multiplies over time. Failure rates for most of these methods are higher for teens than adults because teens are more fertile than older couples, and they are less likely to use the methods consistently and correctly.
| Percentage Becoming Pregnant | Percent Teens | ||
| method of birth control | after one year | after two years | using this method |
| No Method * | 86.0 | 96.0 | 8.1 |
| Spermicides | 36.8 | 49.8 | 0.0 |
| Calendar-Rhythm Method * | 33.8 | 44.0 | 0.0 |
| Withdrawal | 31.3 | 43.1 | 0.8 |
| Diaphragm * | 21.2 | 21.8 | 0.0 |
| Male Condoms | 17.7 | 27.5 | 8.5 |
| Oral Contraceptives | 8.6 | 14.0 | 16.7 |
| Contraceptive Patch (Ortho Evra) ** | 8.6 | 14.0 | 0.6 |
| Vaginal Ring (Nuva) ** | 8.6 | 14.0 | 0.0 |
| Shot (Depo-Provera) | 4.3 | 8.5 | 4.4 |
| Intrauterine Device (IUD) | 4.3 | 8.5 | 0.1 |
| Implant (Norplant) | 4.3 | 8.5 | 0.0 |
| Abstinence *** | 0 | 0 | 56.2 |
Source for Failure Rates: N Ranjit, A Bankole, JE Darroch, S Singh, "Contraceptive Failure in the First Two Years of Use: Differences Across Socioeconomic Subgroups," Family Planning Perspectives, 2001, 33(1):19-27. (pdf)
* First year rates for teens are not known and are shown for ages 20-24.
** Failure rates are not yet known for these newer methods and are assumed to be the same as teen failure rates oral contraceptives.
Source for User Rates: William D. Mosher, Gladys M. Martinez, Anjani Chandra, Joyce C. Abma, Stephanie J. Willson, "Advance Data from Vital and Health Statistics: Use of Contraception and Use of Family Planning Services in the United States: 1982Ð2002," Division of Vital Statistics, CDC, No. 350, Dec 2004. Table 6, p. 18. (pdf)
** Rates for patch are estimated from combined figure given for Implant, Lunelle, and Patch (0.8).
*** Percent using abstinence inclues women never having sex plus those not having sex in the previous three months.
Related Articles
Safe Sex Education vs Abstinence Only
Sponsored Links
Support Groups
Go to next section [responsible sex & stds]
The information provided on Contracept.org is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her health professional. This information is solely for informational purposes and does not constitute the practice of medicine. We encourage all visitors to see a licensed physician or nutritionist if they have any concerns regarding health issues related to diet, personal image and any other topics discussed on this site. Neither the owners or employees of Contracept.org nor the author(s) of site content take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading this site. Always speak with your primary health care provider before engaging in any form of self treatment. Please see our Legal Statement for further information.
Sponsored Links
Online Support Groups
SupportGroups.com provides a support network for those facing life's challenges. Click on the following links to get a helping hand in a confidential, caring environment.
