It varies

Although birth control can be an effective way to prevent unintended pregnancy, no method is 100 percent successful. Each type has pros and cons, including how effective it is.

Hormonal intrauterine devices (IUD) and hormonal implants are the most effective forms of reversible birth control. Once inserted, the hormonal implant and hormonal IUD are more than 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.

Other forms of birth control can be equally effective if used perfectly. However, typical use ultimately makes the actual success rate much lower.

Read on to learn more about each type of birth control, including how effective it is and what you can do to make it more efficient.

How effective is it?

Type	Efficacy with perfect use	Efficacy with typical use	Failure rate
Combination pill	99 percent	91 percent	9 percent
Progestin-only pill	99 percent	91 percent	9 percent
Hormonal IUD	99.8 percent	N/A	0.2 percent
Copper IUD	99.2 percent	N/A	0.8 percent
Implant	99.95 percent	N/A	0.05 percent
Depo-Provera shot	99.7 percent	94 percent	6 percent
Patch	99 percent	91 percent	9 percent
NuvaRing	98 percent	91 percent	9 percent
Male condom	98 percent	82 percent	18 percent
Female condom	95 percent	79 percent	21 percent
Diaphragm	92 to 96 percent	88 percent	12 percent
Cervical cap	92 to 96 percent	71 to 88 percent	12 to 29 percent
Sponge	80 to 91 percent	76 to 88 percent	12 to 24 percent
Spermicide	82 percent	72 percent	28 percent
Fertility awareness method	99 percent	76 percent	24 percent
Pull out/withdrawal	96 percent	78 percent	22 percent
Breastfeeding	98 percent	26 percent	74 percent
Tubal ligation (sterilization)	99.5 percent	N/A	0.5 percent
Tubal occlusion	99.9 percent	N/A	<1 percent
Vasectomy	99.85 percent	N/A	0.15 percent

If I’m taking the pill?

Combination pill

The combination pill is 99 percent effective with perfect use. With typical use, it’s 91 percent effective.

The combination pill uses two hormones, estrogen and progestin, to prevent ovulation. It also thickens your cervical mucus. This may prevent sperm from traveling into the uterus and reaching an egg.

The combination pill may be less effective if you:

don’t take it at the same time every day or miss pills
vomit within two hours of taking the pill
are taking certain antibiotics or other medications
are overweight

Progestin-only pill

The progestin-only pill (or minipill) is 99 percent effective with perfect use. With typical use, it’s 91 percent effective. Efficacy data is combined for the progestin-only pill and combination pill. In general, the minipill is considered to be less effective than the combination pills. It’s also often used in special populations, such as women who are also breastfeeding.

Like the combination pill, the minipill may suppress ovulation and also thickens your cervical mucus. It also thins your uterine lining.

The minipill may be less effective if you:

don’t take it at the same time every day (delaying your dose by three hours or more is considered a missed dose)
vomit within two hours of taking the pill
are taking certain antibiotics or other medications
are overweight

If I have an intrauterine device (IUD)?

Hormonal IUD

The hormonal IUD is 99.8 percent effective once it’s placed. This makes it the ultimate “set it and forget it” birth control method.

This T-shaped plastic device releases the hormone progestin to prevent ovulation, fertilization, and implantation.

It must be replaced on time to remain effective. Depending on the brand, this may be anywhere from three to five years.

Copper IUD

A copper IUD is 99.2 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. It interrupts sperm motility and damages the sperm, ultimately preventing fertilization.

It must be replaced on time every 10 years to remain effective.

If I have the implant?

The implant is 99.95 percent effective. It releases progestin to stop ovulation and thicken cervical mucus.

It must be replaced every three years to remain effective.

The implant may be less effective if you’re taking certain antivirals or other medications.

If I get the Depo-Provera shot?

The Depo-Provera shot is 99.7 percent effective with perfect use. With typical use, it’s 94 percent effective.

This injected form of birth control releases progestin to prevent ovulation and thicken cervical mucus.

You must receive a shot every 12 weeks to remain fully protected against unintended pregnancy.

If I wear the patch?

The patch is more than 99 percent effective with perfect use. With typical use, it’s 91 percent effective.

Like the combination pill, the patch releases estrogen and progestin to prevent ovulation and thicken cervical mucus.

It must be replaced on the same day every week to remain effective.

The patch may be less effective if you:

are unable to keep the patch in place
are taking certain antibiotics or other medications
have a body weight or BMI considered obese

If I use NuvaRing?

NuvaRing is 98 percent effective with perfect use. With typical use, it’s 91 percent effective.

Like the combination pill, the NuvaRing releases estrogen and progestin to prevent ovulation and thicken cervical mucus.

You should take the ring out after three weeks to give your body a one-week break. You must replace the ring on the same day every fourth week for it to remain effective.

NuvaRing may be less effective if you:

aren’t able to keep the ring in place
are taking certain antibiotics or other medications

If I use a barrier method?

Male condom

The male condom is 98 percent effective with perfect use. With typical use, it’s only 82 percent effective.

This type of condom catches ejaculate in a reservoir, preventing semen from entering the vagina.

The male condom may be less effective if it:

was stored improperly
has expired
is worn incorrectly
is used with an oil-based lubricant
isn’t worn before first penetration

Female condom

The female condom is 95 percent effective with perfect use. With typical use, it’s only 79 percent effective.

This type of condom is inserted into the vagina. It creates a barrier, preventing semen from entering the cervix and uterus.

The female condom may be less effective if it:

was stored improperly
has expired
is inserted incorrectly
is used with an oil-based lubricant
isn’t worn before first penetration

Diaphragm

The diaphragm is 92 to 96 percent effective with perfect use. With typical use, it’s 71 to 88 percent effective.

A diaphragm is a flexible, shallow cup that fits into the vagina and covers the cervix. Applying spermicide to the outside of the diaphragm may make it more effective.

It must be inserted correctly and left in for six to eight hours after intercourse to prevent pregnancy.

Cervical cap

The cervical cap is 92 to 96 percent effective with perfect use. With typical use, it’s 71 to 88 percent effective.

Like a diaphragm, a cervical cap covers the cervix to prevent sperm from reaching the uterus. Applying spermicide to the outside of the diaphragm may make it more effective.

It must be inserted correctly and left in for at least six hours after intercourse to prevent pregnancy.

Sponge

The sponge is 80 to 91 percent effective with perfect use. With typical use, it’s only 76 to 88 percent effective.

A sponge is a soft, round piece of foam that’s inserted into the vagina. It’s typically used with spermicide to prevent semen from reaching the uterus.

It must be inserted correctly and left in for at least six hours after intercourse to prevent pregnancy.

The sponge may be less effective if you’ve had a prior vaginal delivery.

Spermicide

Spermicide is 82 percent effective with perfect use. With typical use, it’s only 72 percent effective.

Spermicide is available as a gel, cream, or foam. It’s inserted into the vagina with an applicator. It works best if the spermicide is deep inside, closer to the cervix.

Spermicide may be less effective if:

the product isn’t stored correctly
the product has expired
you don’t use enough
it isn’t inserted deep enough

If I use the fertility awareness method (FAM)?

FAM, or the rhythm method, is 99 percent effective with perfect use. With typical use, it’s only 76 percent effective.

With FAM, you track your menstrual cycle to determine when you’re the most fertile. During this time period, you and your partner may avoid intercourse or use a backup method to reduce the chance of pregnancy.

FAM may be less effective if you:

aren’t calculating your cycle correctly
have an irregular cycle that’s difficult to track
don’t abstain or use a backup method during fertile days

If I use the pull-out (withdrawal) method?

The pull-out method is 96 percent effective when it’s performed perfectly. With typical use, it’s only 78 percent effective.

This method relies on your ability to remove the penis from the vagina before ejaculation so no semen enters the vagina or uterus.

Withdrawal may be less effective if:

you pull out too late
don’t pull out far enough
sperm is present in pre-ejaculate fluids

If I’m breastfeeding?

The lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) is 98 percent effective if the person using it meets all the criteria for the method. Only 26 percent of people meet the criteria.

When you’re breastfeeding, your body stops ovulation. If your ovaries aren’t releasing an egg, you can’t get pregnant or menstruate. However, you must breastfeed at least once every four hours for maximum efficacy.

LAM may be less effective if you:

don’t breastfeed frequently enough
pump instead of breastfeed
are more than six months postpartum

If I just had a sterilization procedure?

Tubal ligation

Tubal ligation, or female sterilization, is 99.5 percent effective. It’s also permanent.

To do this, your surgeon will cut or tie your fallopian tubes. This will prevent eggs from traveling from the ovaries into the uterus, where they could be fertilized by sperm.

Tubal occlusion

Tubal occlusion is another form of female sterilization. It’s more than 99 percent effective.

To do this, your surgeon will insert a small metal coil into both of your fallopian tubes. The coils are then unrolled to prevent passage between the tubes and your uterus.

Over time, tissue will grow into the gaps of the coil, permanently preventing eggs from getting into the uterus.

You must use a backup contraceptive for the first three months after the procedure. Your doctor will perform a follow-up exam to determine whether the surgery was effective or if you should continue using backup contraception.

Vasectomy

A vasectomy, or male sterilization, is 99.85 percent effective.

To do this, your surgeon will cut or seal the tubes that carry sperm into semen. You’ll still ejaculate semen, but it won’t contain sperm. This will permanently prevent pregnancy.

The bottom line

When used properly, birth control is a highly effective way to prevent pregnancy. Work with your doctor or another healthcare provider to pick the best method for your individual needs. They can walk you through any associated risks and help you understand how to use it correctly.

Condoms are the only method to protect against both unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Consider using condoms as a secondary method and make STI testing a part of your regular health routine.

How Effective Is Each Birth Control Method?