Couples who want to prevent pregnancy have a number of options available. While abstinence is the only method that proves 100 percent effective, some other methods come close. However, couples should also consider things like side effects, availability, cost and ease of use when deciding which option would work best for them. Couples should also talk to a doctor and learn how to use the method they have chosen properly to ensure it is as effective as possible.
Sterlization
Tubal ligation and vasectomy procedures prevent pregnancy by rendering a person permanently infertile. Both methods prove highly effective, with less than a one percent failure rate according to the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals or AHRP. However, couples should be sure that they never will want children in the future before committing to one of these permanent methods of birth control.
Natural Family Planning
National family planning, sometimes referred to as fertility awareness or NFP, is a behavioral method of birth control. Couples using this birth control method learn to predict a woman's fertile period by charting her basal body temperature and monitoring her cervical mucus and other fertility signs. They use this information to avoid sexual intercourse during times of fertility. The average rate of failure rate for this method is approximately 20 percent, according to the ARHP.
Condoms
Condoms are available for both males and females. Condoms act as a barrier to prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg. Although both male and female condoms work in a similar manner, they have different rates of effectiveness. Male condoms have an average failure rate of about 12 percent, while female condoms have an average failure rate of approximately 21 percent, according to the ARHP.
Spermicides
Spermicides prevent pregnancy by killing or maiming sperm so they cannot properly fertilize an egg. While the average failure rate for spermicides alone is approximately 21 percent, according to the ARHP, many couples choose to combine spermicides with other birth control options to increase effectiveness.
Sponge
The contraceptive sponge prevents pregnancy by blocking sperm from reaching an egg. The American Pregnancy Association states that the sponge only has a 9 percent failure rate when used perfectly, but many people do not properly use the sponge so the average failure rate proves closer to 16 percent.
Withdrawal Method
The act of the man withdrawing his penis from the vagina before ejaculation during sexual intercourse is called the withdrawal method or pull-out method of birth control. The failure rate is approximately 4 percent for couples always use it perfectly, but proves as high as 27 percent for average use, explains Planned Parenthood.
Pill
Oral contraceptives also referred to as birth control pills, manipulate a woman's hormones to prevent ovulation or the implantation of a fertilized egg. When a woman follows the pill's instructions perfectly and always takes the pill on time, birth control pills have approximately a 1 percent failure rate. However, many women fail to take their pills on time or take antibiotics or other medications that interfere with the pill's effectiveness. This puts the average failure rate closer to 93 to 97 percent, explains the American Pregnancy Association.
Patch
The birth control patch also uses hormones to prevent pregnancy. The patch delivers the medication through a small patch placed directly on the skin. The average failure rate for the birth control patch is approximately one percent with perfect use, according to the ARHP. However, the patch may not prove as effective for women who weigh more than 198 pounds.
Shot
The birth control shot is a hormonal birth control method used to prevent pregnancy. Women using this method get an injection once every three months. The ARHP states that the shot has a less than one percent failure rate for average use.
Ring
The vaginal ring administers synthetic hormones inside the vagina and prevents pregnancy for three weeks. It has a failure rate of approximately one percent when used perfectly, according to the ARHP.
Intra-Uterine Devices
Intra-uterine devices, also referred to as IUDs, are inserted directly into a woman's uterus by a doctor. Depending on the type of IUD she uses, a woman can prevent pregnancy with this method for approximately five to 10 years at a time. IUDs have a less than one percent failure rate, according to the ARHP.
Diaphragm
A diaphragm blocks the cervix to prevent sperm from reaching an egg. Women interested in this method of birth control will need to see a doctor and be properly fitted for the device in order for it to be most effective. The ARHP states that the average failure rate for diaphragms is approximately 18 percent.
