| Types |
Description |
Failure Rate |
Risks & Side Effects |
| Abstinence |
No sexual intercourse or any type of contact between sexual organs |
0% |
No Side Effects |
| Cervical Cap |
A soft rubber barrier that covers the cervix to block the passage of sperm |
20%
(40% after childbirth) |
No Side Effects
(unless allergic) |
| Condom - Female |
A sheath, often made of latex rubber, inserted into the vaginal to block the passage of sperm |
21% |
No Side Effects
(unless allergic) |
| Condom - Male |
A sheath, often made of latex rubber, covers the erect penis to block the passage of sperm |
14% |
No Side Effects
(unless allergic) |
| Depo-Provera Injection |
A shot of Progestin taken every 3 months to prevent ovulation. |
0.3% |
Irregular or missed menstrual cycle, weight gain, breast tenderness |
| Diaphragm |
A soft rubber dome that covers the cervix to block the passage of sperm. |
20% |
No Side Effects
(unless allergic) |
| Fertility Awareness |
The use of menstrual cycle to predict ovulation avoiding intercourse during expected fertile dates |
25% |
No Side Effects |
| Intrauterine Device (IUD) - Copper |
A device inserted into a woman's uterus (by a doctor) to block sperm and change the uterus lining to prevent implantation of a fertilized egg |
0.8% |
Ectopic pregnancies, increased bleeding during menstrual cycle, severe menstruation cramps, perforation of the uterus, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) |
| Intrauterine Device (IUD) - Progesterone |
same as above |
2% |
same as above |
| Lunelle Injection |
Injection of Progestin and Estrogen given every month to prevent ovulation, change cervical mucus to block sperm, and change the lining or the uterus to prevent implantation of a fertilized egg |
0.1 - 1% |
Similar to oral contraceptives |
| Nothing/Chance |
No birth control method |
85% |
No Side Effects |
| Oral Contraceptive (estrogen/progestin) |
Pills taken daily by women to suppress ovulation and change the lining of the uterus to prevent implantation of a fertilized egg |
5% |
Nausea, Headaches, Weight gain, Depression, Irregular Bleeding
*Women who smoke are advised not to take oral contraceptives |
| Oral Contraceptivo(progestin only) |
Pills taken daily by women to change cervical mucus to block sperm and changes the uterus lining to prevent implantation of a fertilized egg |
5% |
Breast tenderness, Weight gain, Menstrual cycle changes
*Women who smoke are advised not to take oral contraceptives |
| Ortho-Evra Patch |
A patch containing synthetic hormones attached to the skin, works same as oral contraceptives |
0.1 - 1% |
Similar to oral contraceptives |
| Spermicide (only) |
A jelly, foam, or cream containing chemicals supposed to kill sperm |
26% |
No Side Effects
(unless allergic) |
| Sponge |
A soft saucer-shaped polyurethane sponge that blocks the cervix and absorbs semen |
20%
(40% after childbirth) |
No Side Effects
(unless allergic) |
| Sterilization - Female |
Permanent surgical procedure to prevent pregnancy - fallopian tube is blocked to prevent passage of eggs and sperm |
0.5% |
If a woman conceives after sterilization procedure there is a risk of ectopic pregnancies. |
| Sterilization - Male |
Permanent surgical procedure to prevent pregnancy - vas deferens tube is damaged to prevent fabrication of sperm |
0.2% |
No Side Effects |
| Withdrawal |
Withdrawal of the penis before ejaculation |
19% |
No Side Effects |