The effectiveness of your contraception actually depends a whole lot on you and then on the type you use and whether you use it correctly. Some methods are more effective than others though but you need to use your contraception correctly for it to be as effective as possible especially with the ones that you need to use regularly, some methods, such as the implants, there’s no need to remember to take or use them.
Are all contraceptives reliable?
No contraceptive is 100% reliable, and some can have side effects some methods are listed in this article, showing how effective they are with perfect use.
Contraceptive implant
This is more than 99% effective with perfect use. They work for at least three years but can be taken out earlier if you want to. Fewer than 1 in 100 women using the implant will get pregnant in a year. Learn more about women that get pregnant with contraceptives here.
Intrauterine system (IUS)
This is more than 99% effective. An IUS normally works for five years but can be taken out earlier. Fewer than 1 in 100 women will get pregnant over five years when using an IUS.
Intrauterine device (IUD)
This is more than 99% effective. An IUD can stay in place for 5 to 10 years depending on the type but can be taken out at any time. Fewer than 1 in 100 women will get pregnant in a year, depending on the type of IUD. Older types are less effective.
Contraceptive injection
Perfect use is more than 99% effective and fewer than 1 in 100 women will get pregnant in a year when using contraceptive injections regularly but 6 out of every 100 women who use this typically get pregnant in a year.
The injection lasts for 8 or 12 weeks, depending on the type.
Contraceptive patch
Perfect use is more than 99% effective. Fewer than 1 in 100 women will get pregnant in a year when using the contraceptive patch correctly. Around 9 in 100 women who use the patch typically will get pregnant in a year.
Vaginal ring
Perfect use more than 99% effective. Fewer than 1 in 100 women will get pregnant in a year when using the vaginal ring correctly. For 100 women who don’t use it effectively, around 9 in 100 of them might get pregnant.
Combined contraceptive pill
Perfect use is more than 99% effective meaning that fewer than 1 in 100 women will get pregnant in a year when using the combined pill correctly.
around 91% effective. Around 9 in 100 women using the combined pill will get pregnant in a year.
Progestogen-only pill
Perfect use: 99% effective. Around 1 in 100 women will get pregnant in a year when using the progestogen-only pill correctly.
Typical use: around 91% effective. Around 9 in 100 women will get pregnant in a year.
Female sterilisation
This is more than 99% effective and about 1 in 200 women are likely to still get pregnant in their lifetime after being sterilised.
Male sterilisation or vasectomy
Around 1 in 2,000 men can become fertile again in their lifetime after a vasectomy.
Male condoms
Perfect used can be 98% effective meaning that 2 in 100 women whose partners use a condom will get pregnant in a year but when not used effectively, around 18 in 100 women will get pregnant in a year.
Female condoms
Effective use is 95% effective and about 5 in 100 women who use a female condom will get pregnant in a year but when not around it is 79% effective. Around 21 in 100 women will get pregnant in a year.
Diaphragms and caps
When perfectly used it can be 92-96% effective (that is between 4 and 8 women in 100 who use a diaphragm or cap with spermicide will get pregnant in a year) but when not perfectly used, it is 71-88% effective (that is between 12 and 29 women in 100 using a diaphragm or cap will get pregnant in a year).
Natural family planning
This can be up to 99% effective if the natural family planning methods are followed precisely. These include monitoring cervical secretions and your basal body temperature. It’s more effective if more than one method is used and it’s taught by specialist teachers. Up to 1 in 100 women will get pregnant in a year when using this method perfectly and 24 in 100 women using natural family planning in a not so effective way will get pregnant in a year.
Contraception is less effective at preventing pregnancy if not used correctly.