How well do birth control options work to prevent pregnancy?
How well do birth control options work to prevent pregnancy?
How well each birth control option works is given as a percentage. The closer the percentage is to 100%, the better that option works to prevent pregnancy. This is during the first year of typical use. Using no birth control works about 15% of the time.
Implant
More than 99%
Lasts up to 5 years.
IUD
More than 99%
Lasts for 3 to 12 years.
Sterilization
More than 99%
Usually is permanent.
Shot (injection)
96%
Get every 3 months.
Pill
93%
Take daily.
Patch
93%
Change every week.
Vaginal ring
93%
Change about every 3 weeks.
Male condom
87%
Use each time you have vaginal sex.
Fertility awareness
85%
Track daily, and avoid vaginal sex when you're fertile.
Cervical cap
68% to 84%
Use each time you have vaginal sex.
Diaphragm
83%
Use each time you have vaginal sex.
Sponge
73% to 86%
Use each time you have vaginal sex.
Withdrawal
80%
Use each time you have vaginal sex.
Spermicide
79%
Use each time you have vaginal sex.
Female condom
79%
Use each time you have vaginal sex.
Current as of: May 1, 2026
Author: WebMD Ignite Staff
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