| Contraception Methods Compared |
|
A guide to information on various birth control methods.
Effectiveness estimates are based on a number of different studies.
This chart is a summary of the previous page.
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|
| Type |
Estimated Effectiveness |
Risks |
STD Protection |
Convenience |
Availability |
| Male Condom |
About 85% |
Rarely, irritation and allergic reactions |
Latex condoms help protect against sexually transmitted diseases, including herpes and AIDS |
Applied immediately before intercourse |
Nonprescription |
|
| Female Condom |
An estimated 74-79% |
Rarely, irritation and allergic reactions |
May give some protection against sexually transmitted diseases, including herpes and AIDS; not as effective as male latex condom |
Applied immediately before intercourse; used only once and discarded |
Nonprescription |
|
| Spermicides used alone |
70-80% |
Rarely,irritation and allergic reactions |
Unknown |
Applied no more than 1 hour before intercourse |
Nonprescription |
|
| Sponge (manufacture discontinued in 1995 in U.S.) |
72-82% |
Rarely, irritation and allergic reactions; difficulty in removal; vary rarely, toxic shock syndrome |
None |
Can be inserted hours before intercourse and left in place up up to 24 hours; used only once and discarded |
Nonprescription |
|
| Diaphragm with Spermicide |
82-94% |
Rarely, irritation and allergic reactions; bladder infection; very rarely, toxic shock syndrome |
None |
Inserted before intercourse; can be left in place 24 hours; additional spermicide must be inserted if intercourse is repeated |
Prescription |
|
| Cervical Cap with Spermicide |
At least 82% |
Abnormal Pap test; genital infections; very rarely, toxic shock syndrome |
None |
Can remain in place for 48 hours; not necessary to reapply spemicide if intercourse repeated; may be difficult to insert |
Prescription |
|
| Oral Contraceptives (Combination Pill & Mini-pill) |
97-99% |
Blood clots, heart attacks and strokes, gallbladder disease, liver tumors, water retention, hypertension, mood swings, dizziness and nausea, not for smokers |
None |
Pill must be taken on daily schedule, regardless of the frequency of intercourse |
Prescription |
|
| Implant (Norplant) |
99% |
Menstrual cycle irregularity; headaches, nervousness, depression, nausea, dizziness, change of appetite, breast tenderness, weight gain, enlargement of ovaries and/or fallopian tubes, excessive growth of body and facial hair; may subside after 1st year |
None |
Effective 24 hours after implantation for approximately 5 years; can be removed by physician at any time |
Prescription; minor out-patient surgical procedure |
|
| Injection (Depo-Provera) |
99% |
Amenorrhea, weight gain, and other side effects similar to those with Norplant |
None |
One injection every 3 months |
Prescription |
|
| Intrauterine Device (IUD) |
95-96% |
Cramps, bleeding, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility; rarely, perforation of the uterus |
None |
After insertion, stays in place until physician removes it |
Prescription |
|
| Periodic Abstinence (Nature Family Planning) |
Very variable, perhaps 53-86% |
None |
None |
Requires frequent monitoring of body functions and periods of abstinence |
Instructions from physician or clinic |
|
| Surgical Sterilization |
Over 99% |
Pain, infection, and, for female tubal ligation, possible surgical complications |
None |
Vasectomy is a one-time procedure usually performed in a doctor's office; tubal ligation is a one-time procedure performed in an operating room |
Surgery |