How effective your contraception is depends on the type of contraception you use and whether you use it correctly.
Some methods of contraception are more effective than others. You need to follow the instructions and use your chosen method correctly for it to be as effective as possible.
With some methods there is no need to remember to take or use them. These are known as methods with no user failure. They include the implant, injection, IUS (intrauterine system) andIUD (intrauterine device, or coil).
No contraceptive is 100% reliable and some can have side effects. Find out about all the methods available so you can decide which method is right for you. All 15 methods are listed here, together with how effective they are.
Male and female condoms
Diaphragms and caps
Contraceptive pill
Long-active reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods
Patch and ring
Sterilisation (permanent contraception)
Up to one woman in 100 will get pregnant in a year when using natural family planning correctly. However, for some women, natural family planning is not suitable or it may be less effective.
Some methods of contraception are more effective than others. You need to follow the instructions and use your chosen method correctly for it to be as effective as possible.
With some methods there is no need to remember to take or use them. These are known as methods with no user failure. They include the implant, injection, IUS (intrauterine system) andIUD (intrauterine device, or coil).
No contraceptive is 100% reliable and some can have side effects. Find out about all the methods available so you can decide which method is right for you. All 15 methods are listed here, together with how effective they are.
Male and female condoms
- Male condoms: 98% effective if used correctly. This means that two women in 100 whose partners use a condom will get pregnant in a year.
- Female condoms: 95% effective if used correctly. Five women in 100 who use a female condom will get pregnant in a year.
Diaphragms and caps
- Diaphragms: latex diaphragms are 92-96% effective if used correctly. Between four and eight women in 100 who use latex diaphragms with spermicide will get pregnant in a year.
- Caps: latex caps are 92-96% effective if used correctly. Between four and eight women in 100 who use latex caps with spermicide will get pregnant in a year. Silicone caps are less effective.
Contraceptive pill
- Combined contraceptive pill: over 99% effective if taken correctly. Less than one woman in 100 will get pregnant in a year while taking the combined pill.
- Progestogen-only pill: 99% effective if taken correctly. One woman in 100 will get pregnant in a year while taking the progestogen-only pill.
Long-active reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods
- Contraceptive injections: over 99% effective. They last for eight or 12 weeks, depending on the type of injection. Less than one woman in 100 will get pregnant in a year when using contraceptive injections.
- Contraceptive implants: over 99% effective. They work for three years but can be taken out earlier. Less than one woman in 100 will get pregnant over three years when using contraceptive implants.
- Intrauterine system (IUS): over 99% effective. An IUS normally works for five years but can be taken out earlier. Less than one woman in 100 will get pregnant over five years when using an IUS.
- Intrauterine device (IUD): over 99% effective. An IUD can stay in place for five to 10 years, depending on the type but can be taken out at any time. Less than one woman in 100 will get pregnant in a year, depending on the type of IUD. Older types of IUD are less effective.
Patch and ring
- Contraceptive patch: over 99% effective if used correctly. Less than one woman in 100 will get pregnant in a year when using the contraceptive patch.
- Vaginal ring: over 99% effective if used correctly. Less than one woman in 100 will get pregnant in a year when using the vaginal ring.
Sterilisation (permanent contraception)
- Female sterilisation: more than 99% effective. One in 200 women will become pregnant in their lifetime after being sterilised.
- Male sterilisation or vasectomy: about one in 2,000 men can become fertile again in their lifetime after a vasectomy.
Up to one woman in 100 will get pregnant in a year when using natural family planning correctly. However, for some women, natural family planning is not suitable or it may be less effective.
For more information visit: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/contraception-guide/Pages/contraception.aspx