Contraception: Success and Failure Rates of Contraceptives

sexual health icongynecology icon Posted under Health Guides. Updated 8 May 2022.
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These charts show the average number of women who accidentally get pregnant while using contraception over the course of one year.

  • Typical Use: When contraception is not used every time, or it’s not used according to instructions every time.
  • Perfect Use: When contraception is used every time, and it is used according to instructions.
Hormonal Implants
Out of 100 Women Using Hormonal Implants
Typical Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnanticon representing 1 pregnant woman
Perfect Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnanticon representing 1 pregnant woman
IUD (Intrauterine Device) LNG-IUS (Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system)
Out of 100 Women Using an IUD:
Typical Use: 1 or Less Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Perfect Use: 1 or Less Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Copper IUD (Intrauterine Device)
Out of 100 Women Using a Copper IUD:
Typical Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnanticon representing 1 pregnant woman
Perfect Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnanticon representing 1 pregnant woman
Female Sterilization
Out of 100 Women Using Female Sterilization
Typical Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnanticon representing 1 pregnant woman
Perfect Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnanticon representing 1 pregnant woman
Hormonal Injections – Depo Provera- (Progesterone only)
Out of 100 Women Using Hormonal Injections:
Typical Use: 4 Women Become Pregnanticon representing 1 pregnant womanicon representing 1 pregnant womanicon representing 1 pregnant womanicon representing 1 pregnant woman
Perfect Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnanticon representing 1 pregnant woman
Estrogen/Progestin Hormonal Injections
(not currently available in the US)
Out of 100 Women Using Estrogen/Progestin Injections:
Typical Use: 6 or Less Women Become Pregnanticon representing 1 pregnant womanicon representing 1 pregnant womanicon representing 1 pregnant womanicon representing 1 pregnant womanicon representing 1 pregnant womanicon representing 1 pregnant woman
Perfect Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnanticon representing 1 pregnant woman
Birth Control Pills – Combination
Out of 100 Women Using Combination Birth Control Pills
Typical Use: 9 Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Perfect Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnanticon representing 1 pregnant woman
Birth Control Pills – Progestin-Only
Out of 100 Women Using Progestin-Only Birth Control Pills
Typical Use: 7 Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Perfect Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Hormone Patch – Ortho-Evra, Xulane
Out of 100 Women Using the Hormone Patch:
Typical Use: 7 Women Become Pregnanticon representing 1 pregnant womanicon representing 1 pregnant womanicon representing 1 pregnant womanicon representing 1 pregnant womanicon representing 1 pregnant womanicon representing 1 pregnant womanicon representing 1 pregnant woman
Perfect Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnanticon representing 1 pregnant woman
Vaginal Hormonal Ring – NuvaRing®, Annovera™
Out of 100 Women Using the Vaginal Hormonal Ring:
Typical Use: 7 Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Perfect Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnanticon representing 1 pregnant woman
Diaphragm
Out of 100 Women Using a Diaphragm
Typical Use: 17 Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Perfect Use: 6 Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Contraceptive Sponges
Out of 100 nulliparous* Women Using Contraceptive Sponges
*Nulliparous is a medical term that means a woman has never given birth to a baby
Typical Use: 17 Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Perfect Use: 9 Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Cervical Cap
Out of 100 nulliparous* Women Using a Cervical Cap*Nulliparous is a medical term that means a woman has never given birth to a baby
Typical Use: 14 Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Perfect Use: 9 Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Male Condoms
Out of 100 Women Using Male Condoms:
Typical Use: 13 Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Perfect Use: 2 Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Female Condoms
Out of 100 Women Using Female Condoms
Typical Use: 21 Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Perfect Use: 5 Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Withdrawal
Out of 100 Women Using Withdrawal:
Typical Use: 20 Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Perfect Use: 4 Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Lactational Amenorrhea Method
Out of 100 Women Using the LAM Method:
Typical Use: 2 Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Perfect Use: 2 Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Fertility Awareness Based Methods
Out of 100 Women Using Natural Family Planning: Numbers vary depending on method used
Typical Use: 14-25 Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Perfect Use: 1 to 5 (average 3) Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Spermicides
Out of 100 Women Using Spermicides: 21
Typical Use: 28 Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
Perfect Use: 18 Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant woman
No Contraceptive Method
Out of 100 Women Using No Contraceptive Method
Typical Use: 85 Women Become Pregnanticon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant womanicon representing less than 1 pregnant woman

https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/index.htm#Contraceptive-Effectiveness