There are so many methods of birth control out there, but how do you know which is best for your sexual health and wellness. While condoms are the ONLY birth control method that protects your wellbeing against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), when it comes to preventing unwanted pregnancies, some contraceptive methods work better than others. The only way to truly, 100% prevent pregnancy is not to have sex at all. However, many couples who commit to abstinence end up becoming pregnant within the first year, as they slip up and have sex without using protection. Therefore, even if you don’t plan to have sex, it’s still a good idea to know about birth control.
Guarding your wellbeing against STIs and unwanted pregnancies isn’t just about whacking on a condom; couples who do have sex need to use birth control properly and every time to prevent pregnancy. The Pill, for example, is very effective for preventing pregnancy but if you forget to take your pill at the same time every day, you may be one of the eight in 100 couples every year who use the Pill but still get pregnant. The effectiveness of the birth control method you use will also depend on your age, as some birth control methods are less effective for teen users. Fertility awareness or the rhythm method may not be a great choice if you’re a teenage girl, as your body is yet to settle into a regular menstrual cycle.
We’ve listed the different birth control methods based on their typical use rates. This means that we’ve noted the data of how effective each method is based on how the average person uses that birth control, rather than if someone were to use that method perfectly. The term “completely effective” means that no couples will become pregnant while using that method. “Very effective means that between one and two out of 100 couples become pregnant while using that method, “effective” means that two to 12 out of 100 couples become pregnant while using that method, and “moderately effective” means that 13 to 20 out of 100 couples become pregnant while using that method. At the other end of the scale, “less effective” means that 21 to 40 out of 100 couples become pregnant while using that method and “not effective” means that more than 40 out of 100 couples become pregnant while using that method.
Consistent Abstinence: No couples using this method will get pregnant in a year. It’s completely effective and also protects against STIs.
Birth Control Patch (“The Patch”): Eight out of 100 couples using this method will get pregnant in a year. It’s effective but does not protect against STIs.
Birth Control Pill (“The Pill”): Eight out of 100 couples using this method will get pregnant in a year. It’s effective but does not protect against STIs.
Birth Control Ring (“The Ring”): Eight out of 100 couples using this method will get pregnant in a year. It’s effective but does not protect against STIs.
Female Condom: 21 out of 100 couples using this method will get pregnant in a year. It’s less effective but does protect against STIs.
Male Condom: 18 out of 100 couples using this method will get pregnant in a year. It’s moderately effective and protects against STIs.
Birth Control Injection: Three out of 100 couples using this method will get pregnant in a year. It’s effective but does not protect against STIs.
Diaphragm: 16 out of 100 couples using this method will get pregnant in a year. It’s moderately effective but does not protect against STIs.
Emergency Contraception: One to two out of 100 couples using this method will get pregnant in a year. It’s very effective but does not protect against STIs.
IUD: Fewer than one out of 100 couples using this method will get pregnant in a year. It’s very effective but does not protect against STIs.
Fertility Awareness: 25 out of 100 couples using this method will get pregnant in a year. It’s less effective and does not protect against STIs.
Spermicide: 29 out of 100 couples using this method will get pregnant in a year. It’s less effective and does not protect against STIs.
Withdrawal (“Pulling Out”): 27 out of 100 couples using this method will get pregnant in a year. It’s less effective and does not protect against STIs.
No Birth Control: 85 out of 100 couples using this method will get pregnant in a year. It’s not effective and does not protect against STIs.