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Family Planning

Birth Control Methods and Choices

Making a decision about your pregnancy

Health Provider Resources

Relative Effectiveness of Birth Control Methods

Birth Control Methods: How well can they work for me?

The following information describes how well reversible and permanent methods of birth control work to prevent unplanned pregnancy for most people and the number of unplanned pregnancies among 100 women in the first year with typical use of each method.

Reversible Methods

Abstinence
- 0 unplanned pregnancies expected among 100 women in the first year following this method.
- Protects people from HIV and STDs
Hormonal Contraceptive Implant
Hormonal Intrauterine Contraception and Copper Intrauterine Contraception
- Less than 1 unplanned pregnancy expected among 100 women in the first year with typical use of this method.
Hormonal Shot
Hormonal Vaginal Ring
Hormonal Skin Patch
Hormonal Oral Pills
- 3-8 unplanned pregnancies expected among 100 women in the first year with typical use of this method.
Male Condom
Female Condom
- 15-21 unplanned pregnancies expected among 100 women in the first year with typical use of this method.
- Protects people from HIV and STDs.
Emergency Contraception Pills
- Emergency contraception pills may reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancy by at least 75% when taken within 3-5 days after unprotected sex.
Breastfeeding
- May be highly effective when baby is fully breastfed.
Diaphragm
Sponge
Fertility Awareness or Cycle Method
Withdrawal
Spermicides
- 16-32 unplanned pregnancies expected among 100 women in the first year with typical use of this method.
No Method
- 85 unplanned pregnancies expected among 100 women in the first year with typical use of this method.