Success Rate

Abstinence

Abstinence offers 100% protection against pregnancy, and STDs, assuming no sexual content of any kind (including genital touching).

Male Condom

With typical use, 15 women in 100 (15%) become pregnant in one year. With perfect use, 2 women in 100 (2%) will become pregnant in one year.

The Pill

With typical use, 8 women in 100 (8%) become pregnant in one year. With perfect use, less than one woman in 100 (less than 1%) will become pregnant in one year.

The Shot

With typical use, 3 women in 100 (3%) become pregnant in one year. With perfect use, less than one woman in 100 (less than 1%) will become pregnant in one year.

Diaphragm

With typical use, 16 women out of 100 (16%) will become pregnant in one year. With perfect use, 6 women out of 100 (6%) will become pregnant in one year.

Cervical Cap

With typical use, 14 women in 100 (14%) will become pregnant in one year. With perfect use, 9 in 100 (9%) women will become pregnant in one year.

The Patch

With typical use, 8 women in 100 (8%) become pregnant in one year. With perfect use, less than one woman in 100 (less than 1%) will become pregnant in one year.

The Ring (NuvaRing)

With typical use, 8 women in 100 (8%) become pregnant in one year. With perfect use, less than one woman in 100 (less than 1%) will become pregnant in one year.

IUD

Using an IUD, less than 1 woman in 100 (1%) will become pregnant in a year.

Implant

Less than one woman in 1,000 becomes pregnant in one year.

Emergency Contraceptive

If taken within 3 days of unprotected sex, it reduces your chance of getting pregnant by 89%. It is more effective the sooner it is taken.

Fertility Awareness (Doesn’t Work Well)

With typical use, between 12 and 25 women in 100 (12 to 25%) will become pregnant in one year, depending on the method. With perfect use, between 2 and 9 women out of 100 (2 to 9%) will become pregnant in one year.

Spermicide (Doesn’t Work Well)

With typical use, 29 women in 100 (29%) become pregnant in one year. With perfect use 18 women in 100 (18%) will become pregnant in one year.

Withdrawal (Doesn’t Work Well)

With typical use, 27 women in 100 (27%) become pregnant in one year. With perfect use 4 women in 100 (4%) will become pregnant in one year.