Pregnancy Rates for Birth Control Methods
(For One Year of Use)
The following table provides estimates of the percent of women likely to become pregnant while using a particular contraceptive method for one year. These estimates are based on a variety of studies.
"Typical Use" rates mean that the method either was not always used correctly or was not used with every act of sexual intercourse (e.g., sometimes forgot to take a birth control pill as directed and became pregnant), or was used correctly but failed anyway.
"Lowest Expected" rates mean that the method was always used correctly with every act of sexual intercourse but failed anyway (e.g., always took a birth control pill as directed but still became pregnant).
Data adapted from: R.A. 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 Reprinted from the Food and Drug Administration
Birth Control Methods & Pregnancy Rates
| Method | Typical Pregnancy Rate | Lowest Pregnancy Rate |
| Male Sterilization | 0.15% | 0.1% |
| Female Sterilization | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| Implant (Norplant) | 0.09% | 0.09% |
| Hormone Shot (Depo-Provera) | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Combined Pill (Estrogen/Progestin) | 5% | 0.1% |
| Minipill (Progestin only) | 5% | 0.5% |
| IUD-Copper T | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| IUD-Progesterone T | 2% | 1.5% |
| Male Latex Condoms | 14% | 3% |
| Diaphragm | 20% | 6% |
| Vaginal Sponge (no previous births) | 20% | 9% |
| Vaginal Sponge (previous births) | 40% | 20% |
| Cervical Cap (no previous births) | 20% | 9% |
| Cervical Cap (previous births) | 40% | 26% |
| Spermicide (gel,foam,suppository,film) | 26% | 6% |
| Withdrawal | 19% | 4% |
| Natural Family Planning (calendar,temperature,cervial mucus) | 25% | 1-9% |
| No Method | 85% | 85% |
