Learning About How Well Birth Control Options Work
Before choosing birth control, you may want to compare how well each option works. Some birth control options prevent pregnancy better than others.
Comparing birth control options
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 3 years.
IUD
More than 99%
Lasts for up to 10 years depending on which IUD is used.
Tubal ligation or vasectomy
More than 98%
Usually is permanent.
Shot (injection)
94%
Get every 3 months.
Pill
91%
Take daily.
Patch
91%
Change every week.
Vaginal ring
91%
Change about every 3 weeks.
Male condom
82%
Use each time you have vaginal sex.
Fertility awareness
76%
Track daily, and avoid vaginal sex when you're fertile.
Cervical cap
68% if you have had a vaginal childbirth to 84% if you have not had a vaginal childbirth. Use each time you have vaginal sex. Cervical caps (FemCap) are no longer approved by Health Canada for sale in Canada. It may be difficult to buy the spermicidal jelly you need to use with the cap.
Diaphragm
84%
Use each time you have vaginal sex.
Sponge
Not available in Canada
Withdrawal
78%
Use each time you have vaginal sex.
Spermicide
72%
Use each time you have vaginal sex.
Internal (vaginal) condom
79%
Use each time you have vaginal sex.
Comparing emergency contraception
Emergency contraception is a backup method to birth control. You can use it if you didn't use birth control or your birth control method failed. There are two types: a copper IUD and pills. Talk to your healthcare provider or visit a sexual health clinic to decide what is the best option for you.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter C898 in the search box to learn more about "Learning About How Well Birth Control Options Work".
Adaptation Date: 7/15/2024
Adapted By: Alberta Health Services
Adaptation Reviewed By: Alberta Health Services
