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Effectiveness Rate of Birth Control Methods

British Columbia Specific Information

Birth control can help prevent pregnancy. There are many types of birth control available. Speak with your health care provider to help decide which type is right for you and your partner.

Hormone-based birth control contains hormones such as estrogen and progestin. Certain medications may make your hormone-based birth control not work properly or not at all. For more information, see HealthLinkBC File #91a Hormonal Contraception and using other medications at the same time.

Emergency contraception helps to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex, or failed birth control. For more information about emergency contraception, see HealthLinkBC File #91b Emergency Contraception (EC).

Birth control cannot prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but using a condom will reduce your risk. For more information about birth control and sexual health, visit Options for Sexual Health and Smart Sex Resource. To learn more about STIs, see our HealthLinkBC Files - Sexually Transmitted Infections Series.

You may also call 8-1-1 to speak with a registered nurse or pharmacist. Our nurses are available anytime of the day, every day of the year. Our pharmacists are available every night from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Topic 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 users footnote 1, footnote 2

Number of unplanned pregnancies out of 100 people that used the method exactly as directed footnote 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

  1. 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.
  2. Abramowicz M (2010). Choice of contraceptives. Treatment Guidelines From The Medical Letter, 8(100): 89–96.

Credits

Current as of: June 16, 2021

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Sarah Marshall MD - Family Medicine
Anne C. Poinier MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Femi Olatunbosun MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology