Birth Control Effectiveness
The following chart shows the typical failure rates of birth control methods discussed in this handout. The failure rate is the number of pregnancies expected per 100 women during one year of using the method correctly. The rates vary, depending on how correctly and consistently each method is used. If a method is used perfectly, the failure rate is lower than the typical rate shown here. Use of more than one method of a time can decrease the chance of failure.
| Method | annual % of women with accidental pregnancy |
|---|---|
| Spermicides | 85% |
| Periodic Abstinence | 20% |
| Withdrawal | 19% |
| Diaphragm | 18% |
| Female Condom | 21% |
| Male Condom | 12% |
| Birth Control Pills | 3% |
| IUD | 0.8 - 2.0% |
| Depo-Provera | 0.3% |
| Female Sterilization | 0.4% |
| Male Sterilization | 0.15% |
As you can see, other than sterilization, the hormone medications and IUD are the most effective methods of birth control. However, the diaphragm can be nearly as reliable if they are used properly. The least reliable methods are natural family planning (periodic abstinence), withdrawal method, the female condom, and spermicide alone