Birth control effectiveness varies by method and how consistently it is used.
- Birth control pills are about 99% effective with perfect use, meaning taking the pill exactly as directed every day. However, with typical use, which accounts for missed pills or incorrect timing, effectiveness drops to around 91-93%. This means about 7 to 9 out of 100 pill users may get pregnant each year with typical use
- Contraceptive implants (like Nexplanon) are over 99% effective with perfect use and are considered the most effective reversible birth control method. They require little maintenance and last about three years
- Injectable contraceptives (e.g., Depo-Provera shot) are about 99% effective with perfect use and about 96% effective with typical use
- Barrier methods such as diaphragms and cervical caps have lower effectiveness, ranging from about 78% to 94% depending on correct and consistent use, often requiring spermicide to improve effectiveness
- Withdrawal method is about 80% effective, meaning roughly 20 out of 100 users may become pregnant each year
- Natural family planning methods vary widely but are generally less effective than hormonal or barrier methods, with typical use effectiveness around 76% and perfect use up to 95% in some cases
Effectiveness depends heavily on consistent and correct use. Combining methods, such as using condoms along with hormonal birth control, can further reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy and also provide protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which hormonal methods alone do not
. In summary, birth control can be highly effective-up to 99%-when used perfectly, but typical use lowers effectiveness, especially for methods requiring daily or per-use action. Long-acting reversible contraceptives like implants and injections tend to have higher real-world effectiveness due to less user error.
