Comparison chart of the most common types of birth control.
Barrier Methods
| What is it? | How does it work? | Failure Rate for Pregnancy* (per 100 women) | Protection against STD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male Condom | A tube of thin material (latex rubber) that is rolled over the erect penis prior to contact with the vagina. | 14% | When used consistently and correctly, every single time, condoms MAY reduce the risk of contracting and/or spreading STDs. It has been shown that they are most effective in reducing the risk of HIV transmission. Such risk may be reduced by 85%. They are less effective in preventing HPV (Human Papilloma Virus), Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Herpes. If you use condoms every time you have vaginal sex, you MAY be able to cut your chance of getting the aforementioned STDs in half . |
| Female Condom | A seven-inch long pouch of polyurethane with two flexible rings that is inserted into the vagina prior to intercourse, the female condom covers the cervix, vaginal canal, and the immediate area around the vagina. | 21% | May give some STD protection; not as effective as the male condom. |
| Diaphragm | A soft rubber dome stretched over a flexible ring; the dome is filled with a spermicidal cream or jelly and is inserted into the vagina and placed over the cervix no more than 3 hours prior to intercourse. | 20% | None |
| Cervical Cap | A small cup made of latex rubber or plastic that is filled with a spermicidal cream or jelly and inserted into the vagina and placed over the cervix. | 20% (40% after childbirth) | None |
| Contraceptive Sponge | A soft saucer-shaped device made from polyurethane foam. | 14% to 28% | None |
Hormonal Methods
| What is it? | How does it work? | Failure Rate for Pregnancy* (per 100 women) | Protection against STD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Control Pills/ Oral Contraceptives | Pills that are taken daily as prescribed by your healthcare provider. | 1% to 2% | None |
| Depo-Provera | An injection given by your health care provider that prevents pregnancy for three months. | Less than 1% | None |
| Lunelle | An injection given by your health care provider that prevents pregnancy for one month. | Less than 1% | None |
| NuvaRing/Vaginal Ring | A flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina for three weeks, removed for one week, and then replaced with a new ring, releases estrogen and progesterone into your body. | 1% to 2% | None |
| Ortho Evra Patch/Birth Control Patch | Placed directly on the skin with the hormones built into the sticky side of the patch, each week for the first three weeks a patch is placed on the hip, buttocks or upper arm, the fourth week you are free from the patch allowing for a menstrual period. | 0.1-1%** | None |
| Intrauterine Device (IUD) | A small plastic device containing copper or hormones that is inserted into the uterus by a medical professional, does not stop the sperm from entering into the uterus, but rather it changes the physical environment of the reproductive tract and thereby prevents the egg from being fertilized and implanted in the uterus. | Less than 1% | None |
Other Methods
| What is it? | How does it work? | Failure Rate for Pregnancy* (per 100 women) | Protection against STD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Withdrawal | Involves the removal of the erect penis from the vagina prior to ejaculation. | Not effective against pregnancy because a small amount of fluid leaks from the penis during sex before ejaculating | None |
| Female Sterilization | Involves the surgical closing of the fallopian tubes which carry the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus, procedure is referred to as a tubal ligation. | Less than 1% | None |
| Male Sterilization | Involves the surgical closing of tubes that carry sperm, procedure is referred to as a vasectomy. | Less than 1% | None |
| Spermicides | Chemicals that are designed to kill sperm, and are available as foam, jelly, foaming tablets and vaginal suppositories. | 26% | None |
| Abstinence | The voluntary refraining from sexual activity, the only contraceptive method that is 100% effective in the prevention of both pregnancy and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. | 0% | 100% effective against all STDs. |
| Fertility Awareness Method | Also known as Natural Family Planning and commonly called NFP, does not rely on devices or medications to prevent pregnancies, a contraceptive method that uses the natural functions of your body and your menstrual cycle to calculate ovulation, features of NFP involve recording of your body temperature and changes in your cervical mucus each day, requires periodic abstinence (approximately 7 to 10 days) during the ovulation period, some women choose to use a barrier method or withdrawal during this time frame. | 25% (Periodic Abstinence) | None |
Emergency Contraception
| What is it? | How does it work? | Failure Rate for Pregnancy* (per 100 women) | Protection against STD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning After Pill (Plan B) | An emergency contraceptive that can prevent a pregnancy after contraceptive failure or unprotected sex, should be taken within 3 days (72 hours) of unprotected sex. The morning after pill is not RU-486 (the abortion pill); it will not work if you are already pregnant. To learn more about the differences between RU-486, and the risks of Plan B, click here. | Can reduce the risk of pregnancy by 89%, more effective if taken immediately. | None |
Footnotes
*Failure rates for birth control methods when used correctly and without conjunction with other types of methods.
**Contraceptive patch is less effective in women weighing more than 198 pounds.
Compiled using information from the following sources:
American Academy of Family Physicians (2005) Birth Control: Choosing a Method That’s Right for You. Retrieved September 11, 2006.
American Pregnancy Association (2006). Overview: Types of Birth Control. Retrieved August 1, 2007.
Plan B Consumer Home Page (2006). Plan B. Retrieved September 17, 2006.
Medical Institute, The (2006). Condoms & STDs. Retrieved August 1, 2007.
US Food and Drug Administration (2003). Birth Control Guide. Retrieved September 11, 2006.