Contraception Effectiveness

Menstuff® has compiled the following information on contraceptive effectiveness.

Ideal Success Rates of Various Forms of Birth Control

Perfect Use
Failure Rate/Typical Use*

General Methods

.

.

Abstinence **
100%
60-88%

Chastity belt
100%
99%*

No Protection
10-20
80-90

Withdrawal
96
25

Rhythm Method
90
15-25

Outercourse
100%
*

Medical Methods

.

.

The Pill (female) ****
99.5-99.9
7.5

Emergency Contraception (female)
99
3-5

Gels and Foams
95
15

Genital Devices

.

.

Male Condom
98
14

Female Condom
97
10-15

Cervical Caps and Diaphragms (female)
98
10-15

IUD - Mirena
99+
4

IUD - Paragard
99
4

Shot - Depo Provera
99+
NA

Patch - Ortho Evra
99
NA

Ring - Nuva
99
NA

The Sponge (female)
95
15-20

Surgery-Sterilization

.

.

Vasectomy (male) ***
99+
0.15

Tubal Litigation (female)
99.5
0.05

Filshie Clip (female)
99+

 

* Recognizes that 100% proper application and use is not always attained. In order to achieve the Ideal Success Rate, the method must be used on 100% of all occasions. The belt only requires a good locksmith.
** Higher failure rate than all other forms of birth control with the possible exception of no protection at all.
*** Note: We expect that castration would show similar results.
**** Depending on formulation. Sources: Perfect use--Hatcher, RA, et al., Contraceptive Technology, 17th ed., 1998, page 216. Typical use--AGI, Fulfilling the Promise: Public Policy and U.S. Family Planning Clinics, 2000, page 44.
Source of most of the information: www.guttmacher.org/pubs/spib_SE.pdf  

*    *    *

Condoms are easier to change than diapers and fail less often that abstinence.

Contraceptives should be used on every conceivable occasion. - Spike Milligan


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