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Effectiveness Rate of Birth Control Methods

British Columbia Specific Information

Birth control helps prevent pregnancy and there are many options available. Talk to your health care provider to find out what works best for you and your partner.

Hormone-based birth control contains hormones like estrogen and progestin, but some medications can affect how it works. Learn more in the HealthLink BC File #91a: Hormonal contraception and using other medications at the same time.

Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or birth control failure. For details, visit HealthLinkBC File #91b Emergency Contraception (EC).

Birth control cannot protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Using condoms can lower your risk. Visit Options for Sexual Health and Smart Sex Resource.

Call 8-1-1 to speak with a nurse available 24/7 or pharmacist available from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. for personalized advice.

Overview

These tables compare how well different birth control methods work. They show 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.footnote 1, footnote 2

You can improve on the real-life failure rate of birth control methods by always 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.

Hormonal

How well does hormonal birth control work?

Method used

Number of unplanned pregnancies out of 100 typical users

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

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

How well do IUDs work?

Method used

Number of unplanned pregnancies out of 100 typical users

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

Hormonal IUD

Fewer than 1

Fewer than 1

Copper IUD

Fewer than 1

Fewer than 1

Barrier methods

How well do barrier methods work?

Method used

Number of unplanned pregnancies out of 100 typical users

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

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

How well does fertility awareness work?

Method used

Number of unplanned pregnancies out of 100 typical users

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

Periodic abstinence and fertility awareness methods

24

5

Surgery

How well does surgery work?

Method used

Number of unplanned pregnancies out of 100 typical users

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

Vasectomy

Fewer than 1

Fewer than 1

Tubal ligation or tubal implants

Fewer than 1

Fewer than 1

No birth control

How well does no birth control work?

Method used

Number of unplanned pregnancies out of 100 typical users

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

No birth control

85

85

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: August 2, 2022

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