Couples have many different family planning methods available to them. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the effectiveness of each method can vary greatly. All couples interested in learning more about these methods should talk to their doctors to determine which method may work the best for their situation.
Abstinence
Abstinence, which means to avoid having sexual intercourse completely, is the only family planning method that is 100 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. Although this method is the most effective, it may be difficult to implement for an extended period of time, especially for those in a serious relationship.
Fertility Awareness
Fertility awareness, also referred to as Natural Family Planning (NFP), can also be used as a family planning method. This approach uses a number of techniques to pinpoint when a woman is most fertile so that intercourse can be avoided during that time frame or another method of birth control method can be used in that time frame. Charting the daily basal body temperature, watching for changes in cervical mucus and looking for other signs of ovulation are all ways that a woman can tell when she may be at her most fertile. This method of family planning has a 20 percent failure rate, according to the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP).
Non-Hormonal Options
Many non-hormonal birth control options are available. Although non-hormonal birth control options are generally less effective than hormonal options, using more than one of these options or "doubling up" birth control may make them more effective. Male condoms, which are placed over a man's penis to block sperm from entering the woman's vagina, are the most common barrier method of birth control, according to the American Pregnancy Association. They have an average failure rate of 12 percent. Female barrier methods, such as the female condom, diaphragm, sponge and cervical cap, are often less effective than male condoms. The ARHP states that the average failure rates for these devices range from 18 to 21 percent.
Another non-hormonal birth control option is spermicide, which on its own has an average failure rate of approximately 21 percent, but is often used with condoms or other barrier methods to increase effectiveness. Finally, the "pull-out" or withdrawal method of birth control, where a man pulls out his penis from the woman's vagina before ejaculating, has an average failure rate ranging from 4 to 19 percent, according to the Family Planning Council.
Hormonal Options
Hormonal birth control options can be an effective way to prevent pregnancy. Oral contraceptives, also referred to as birth control pills, have an average failure rate of three percent, according to the AHRP. The birth control patch, birth control shot, implants, intrauterine device (IUD) and the ring are other hormonal birth control options, all which have an average failure rate of only one percent, according to AHRP.
Sterilization
Finally, those couples who have made the decision not to get pregnant at all in the future may want to consider permanent sterilization. Tubal ligation is a procedure done in the hospital on a woman that prevents eggs from entering the fallopian tubes. A vasectomy is an outpatient procedure that prevents sperm from leaving the penis. Both of these sterilization procedures have an average failure rate of less than one percent, according to the AHRP.
