Effectiveness Of Contraceptive Methods

Effectiveness of Contraceptive Methods

This is a chart showing the effectiveness of different contraceptive methods. Effectiveness is measured as the number of unintended pregnancies that will occur for every 100

women using that method in a year, under typical use.

Contraceptive methods are categorized into three levels of effectiveness: most effective, moderately effective, and least effective.

The most effective methods result in less than one pregnancy per one hundred women in a year, with typical use.They include the permanent methods of male and female sterilization. The most

effective methods also include two reversible methods, implants and intrauterine devices.

The moderately effective methods result in 6-12 pregnancies per 100 women in a year, with typical use. They include injectables (such as Depo-Provera), oral contraceptive

pills, patch, ring and the diaphragm.

The least effective methods result in 18 or more pregnancies per 100 women in a year, with typical use. They include male and female condoms, withdrawal, sponge,

fertility-awareness-based methods, and spermicide.

Condoms should always be used to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections.

Other methods of contraception include Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM), which is a highly effective but temporary method of contraception.

Emergency contraceptive pills or a copper IUD after unprotected intercourse can be used as emergency contraception, and substantially reduce risk of pregnancy.