Comparing the Effectiveness of Various Contraceptive Methods for Pregnancy Prevention Print
Percent of Women Experiencing Unintended Pregnancy within One Year

Method

Percentage w/ Typical Use

Percentage w/ Perfect Use

No protection

85%

85%

Spermicide (foam or film)

29%

18%

Withdrawal

27%

4%

Condom (female)

21%

5%

Cervical cap (in women who have never given birth)

16%

9%

Sponge (in women who have never given birth)

16%

9%

Diaphragm

16%

6%

Condom (male)

15%

2%

Oral contraceptives

8%

0.3%

Patch

8%

0.3%

Injectable Contraception

     Depo-Provera

3%

0.3%

     Lunelle

3%

0.05%

Intrauterine Contraception

     Copper T IUD

0.8%

0.6%

     LNG-IUS

0.1%

0.1%

     Implant

0.05%

0.05%

Emergency contraceptive pills: Treatment initiated within 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse reduces the risk of pregnancy by at least 75%.

Source: Hatcher RA et al. Contraceptive Technology. 18th rev. edition. New York, NY: Ardent Media, 2004.