From Tracee Cornforth,
Your Guide to Women's Health.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

The answer to that question depends on your definition of "best." Your choice of birth control depends on factors such as your health, how often you engage in sexual activity, number of partners, and whether you want children in the future. No contraceptive method is 100 percent effective against pregnancy or disease. The only 100 percent effective guarantee is abstinence (not having intercourse).

The only method of birth control that can prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV is the condom and even condoms are not 100 percent effective against STDs. Contraception effectiveness rates for preventing pregnancy vary greatly depending on the method used.

Check out the following chart:

<caption>Methods of Birth Control</caption> <TH id=h1 WIDTH="50%]

Method </TH> <TH id=h2 WIDTH="25%]

Rate of Pregnancy with Typical Use </TH> <TH id=h3 WIDTH="25%]

Lowest Expected Rate of Pregnancy </TH>

Male Sterilization

0.15%

0.1%

Female Sterilization

0.5%

0.5%

Hormonal Methods:

Implant (Norplant)

0.09%

0.09%

Hormone Shot (Depo Provera)

0.3%

0.3%

Combined Pill (Estrogen/Progestin)

5%

0.5%

Minipill (Pregestin only)

5%

0.5%

Intrauterine Devises (IUDs):

Copper T

0.8%

0.6%

Progesterone T

2%

1.5%

Barrier Methods:

Male Latex Condom (1)

14%

3%

Diaphragm (2)

20%

6%

Vaginal Sponge (no prev. births) (3)

20%

9%

Vaginal Sponge (previous births) (3)

40%

20%

Cervical Cap (no prev. births) (2)

20%

9%

Cervical Cap (previous births)

40%

26%

Female Condom

21%

5%

Spermacide:

(gel, foam, suppository, film)

26%

6%

Natural Methods:

Withdrawal

19%

4%

Natural Family Planning(calendar, temperature,cervical mucus)

25%

1-9%

No Method:

85%

85%

(1) without spermacide, (2) with spermacide, (3) contains spermacide

Data adapted from: R. Hatcher, J. Trussell, F. Stewart, et al., Contraceptive Technology, 17th Revised edition, New York, NY: Irvington Publishers Inc. (in press). Table prepared by FDA: 5/13/97

Contraceptives Resource Center

Return to Birth Control FAQs Index

Next Page

Adapted from the United States Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services

Updated 01/20/06