Birth Control
Contraception
Overall, 56% of the 6.4 million pregnancies in the United States each year are unplanned. Of the women at risk for an unintended pregnancy, 90% use some form of contraception. The 10% of women who do not use contraception account for 53% of unintended pregnancies, half of which end in abortion.
The choice of a contraceptive method is heavily dependent on whether a woman intends to have more children. Women who intend to have more children in the future are most likely to choose an oral contraceptive, while those not intending to have children in the future most often choose sterilization. The effectiveness of contraception not only depends on what type it is, but also on whether it is being used correctly and consistently.
Adapted from Hatcher R et al, editors; Thompson J; Payne WA, Hahn DB. |
|
| Contraceptive Approach |
Effectiveness with Perfect Use (%) |
Effectiveness for Typical User (%) |
| Tubal Sterilization |
99+ |
99+ |
| Implant (Norplant) or Injection (Depo-Provera) |
99+ |
99+ |
| Combined Oral Pills |
99 |
97-98 |
| IUD |
99 |
95-97 |
| Condom (Male) |
95-97 |
80-85 |
| Diaphragm and spermicide |
97-98 |
80-90 |
| Spermicide |
97-98 |
75-85 |
| BBT/Rhythm Methods |
90-98 |
65-85 |
| No Method (chance) |
15 |
15 |
|
|
