Contraception and effectiveness
Contraception options include;
- Barrier contraception (including condoms, diaphragms, spermacides)
- Natural methods
- Combined Hormonal Contraception (including combined oral contraception, vaginal ring and patch)
- Progestogen Only Pill
- Progestogen Only Injection
- Progestogen Only Implant
- Intrauterine contraception (including copper and levonorgestrel containing intrauterine devices)
- Sterilisation /vasectomy
All contraception methods are highly effective if used perfectly, according to manufacturers’ guidance. However, human error often prevails and some methods of contraception become less effective with typical use (see table 1). Long Acting Reversible Contraception is much less user dependent and for that reason are highly effective in practice.
Table 1: Comparison of pregnancy rates with contraception, adapted from table in FSRH guidance, (based on Trussell research:Trussell J. Contraceptive failure in the United States. Contraception 2011;83:397–404.)
Contraception Type | Percentage of women experiencing unintended pregnancy within the first year | |
Typical Use |
Perfect Use |
|
No method | 85 | 85 |
Natural methods | 24 | 0.4 -5 |
Diaphragm | 12 | 6 |
Condoms | 18 | 2 |
CHC | 9 | 0.3 |
POP | 9 | 0.3 |
PO Injectable | 6 | 0.2 |
PO Implant | 0.05 | 0.05 |
LNG IUS | 0.2 | 0.2 |
Copper IUD | 0.8 | 0.6 |
Female Sterilisation | 0.5 | 0.5 |
Vasectomy | 0.15 | 0.1 |