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How well contraception works at preventing pregnancy

Some methods of contraception are more effective than others.

For example, the contraceptive implant works very well at preventing pregnancy. It's over 99% effective if used correctly all the time (sometimes called perfect use).

This means that if 100 women chose the contraceptive implant, less than 1 woman will experience an unintended pregnancy within the first year of use.

Important: Typical use

Contraception is less effective if not used perfectly all the time. This is called typical use.

Typical use includes things like missing a pill, a condom coming off during sex or forgetting to replace a vaginal ring.

How effective contraception methods are

Effectiveness of contraception at preventing pregnancy (listed in order of effectiveness with typical use)
Method Typical use Perfect use
Method

Contraceptive implant

Typical use

Over 99%

Perfect use

Over 99%

Method

IUS (hormonal coil)

Typical use

Over 99%

Perfect use

Over 99%

Method

IUD (copper coil)

Typical use

Over 99%

Perfect use

Over 99%

Method

Contraceptive injection

Typical use

94%

Perfect use

Over 99%

Method

Combined pill

Typical use

91%

Perfect use

Over 99%

Method

Progestogen-only pill

Typical use

91%

Perfect use

Over 99%

Method

Contraceptive patch

Typical use

91%

Perfect use

Over 99%

Method

Vaginal ring

Typical use

91%

Perfect use

Over 99%

Method

Condoms

Typical use

82%

Perfect use

98%

Method

Internal (female) condoms

Typical use

79%

Perfect use

95%

Method

Natural family planning

Typical use

76%

Perfect use

91 to 99% (estimate)

Method

Diaphragms and caps

Typical use

Unknown

Perfect use

92 to 96% (estimate)

Page last reviewed: 31 January 2024
Next review due: 31 January 2027