Birth Control Guide (Chart)

Page 1 of 2

May 2024

This birth control chart provides high-level information about different birth control options. It is meant for educational purposes for the

general public. This chart is not meant to be a complete list of all available birth control options. Talk with your health care provider about

the best birth control choice for you.

If you do not want to get pregnant, you can choose from many birth control options. No one product is best for everyone. Some types of birth

control are better than others at preventing pregnancy. Check the pregnancy rates on this chart to get an idea of how effective a method is

at preventing pregnancy. The pregnancy rates on this chart tell you the number of pregnancies expected during the first year of use for each

100 women who use that method. These rates can help you understand how effective the different methods are during actual use (including

sometimes using a method in a way that is not correct or not consistent). The chart also provides some of the risks or side effects associated

with each type of birth control to help you determine which option may be best for you. The only sure way to avoid pregnancy is to not have sex.

BIRTH CONTROL METHODS

NUMBER OF

PREGNANCIES

EXPECTED

(per 100 women)

USE

SOME RISKS OR SIDE EFFECTS

This chart does not list all of the possible

risks and side effects.

Sterilization surgery

for women

Less than 1 • One-time procedure

• Permanent

• Bleeding

• Infection or other

complications after

surgery

• Pain

Sterilization surgery

for men

(vasectomy)

Less than 1

• One-time procedure

• Permanent

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Pain

IUD (intrauterine

device)/IUS

(intrauterine system)

without hormone

(copper)

Less than 1

• Inserted and removed by a

health care provider

• Lasts up to 10 years

• Cramps

• Heavier, longer

periods

• Spotting between

periods

IUD (intrauterine

device)/IUS

(intrauterine system)

with hormone

(progestin)

Less than 1

• Inserted and removed by a

health care provider

• Lasts up to 8 years,

depending on the type

• Abdominal/pelvic

pain

• Irregular bleeding

• No periods

(amenorrhea)

Implantable rod Less than 1

• Inserted and removed by a

health care provider

• Lasts up to 3 years

• Acne

• Headache

• Menstrual changes

• Mood swings or

depressed mood

• Weight gain

Contraceptive

injection/shot

4 • A health care provider gives a

shot every 3 months

• Abdominal

discomfort

• Delay in fertility

return

• Headache

• Irregular bleeding/

bleeding between

periods

• Loss of bone

density

• No periods

(amenorrhea)

• Weight gain

Oral contraceptives

“the pill”

(combined pill)

7 • Must swallow a pill every day

• Generally, get a monthly

period

• Breast tenderness

• Headache

• Nausea

• Spotting/bleeding

between periods

Oral contraceptives

“the pill”

(extended/continuous

use combined pill)

7 • Must swallow a pill every day

• Generally, get period less

often than monthly

• Breast tenderness

• Headache

• Nausea

• Spotting/bleeding

between periods

Oral contraceptives

“the mini pill”

(progestin only)

7 • Must swallow a pill at the

same time every day

• Generally, get a monthly

period

• Acne

• Breast tenderness

• Headache

• Nausea

• Spotting/bleeding

between periods

• Weight gain

Patch

(transdermal system)

7 • Put on a new patch

once a week for 3 weeks

(wear a patch for 21

consecutive days)

• Don’t put on a patch during

the 4

week

• Breast tenderness

• Headache

• Nausea

• Skin irritation

• Spotting/bleeding

between periods

• Stomach pain

BIRTH CONTROL GUIDE (CHART)

www.fda.gov/birthcontrol

Page 2 of 2

May 2024

Consumers should be aware that FDA approves, clears, and grants marketing authorization for individual contraceptive products, not “methods.”

However, for purposes of this chart, which includes birth control options broader than products, we use the term “methods.”

Data is drawn from Bradley SEK, et al., Effectiveness, safety, and comparative side effects. In: Cason P, Cwiak C, Edelment A, et al. [Eds.]

Contraceptive Technology. 22nd edition. Burlington, MA: Jones-Bartlett Learning, 2023; in instances where clinical trial data described in FDA

required labeling showed higher pregnancy rates, that information is also provided. For more information on the chance of getting pregnant while

using a certain product (medicine or device), please check the product label or consult your health care provider.

Refer to the Prescribing Information or instructions for use for a speciﬁc product or ask your health care provider for speciﬁc instructions for use.

The risks and side effects are listed in alphabetical order; the information on this chart does not include all risks and beneﬁts for each method.

BIRTH CONTROL METHODS

NUMBER OF

PREGNANCIES

EXPECTED

(per 100 women)

USE

SOME RISKS OR SIDE EFFECTS

This chart does not list all of the possible

risks and side effects.

Vaginal contraceptive

ring/vaginal

contraceptive system

7 • Put the ring into the

vagina yourself

• Keep the ring in your vagina

for 3 weeks and then take it

out for 1 week

• Certain types of rings can be

reused for multiple cycles

• Breast tenderness

• Headache

• Nausea

• Mood changes

• Vaginal

discharge,

discomfort in the

vagina, and mild

irritation

Software application

for contraception

7-8 • Enter the requested

information into the app (e.g.,

daily basal body temperature,

menstrual cycle information)

• May provide inaccurate information

(ovulation prediction) if used when

currently or recently on hormonal birth

control or hormonal treatments that

prevent ovulation (release of egg)

Male condom 13 • Must use every time you have

vaginal sex

• Certain types may provide

protection against some

sexually transmitted

infections (STIs)

• Allergic reactions • Irritation

Diaphragm with

spermicide

17 • Must use every time you

have sex

• Allergic reactions

• Irritation

• Urinary tract

infection

Sponge with

spermicide

17 • Must use every time you

have sex

• Irritation

Cervical cap with

spermicide

22-23 • Must use every time you

have sex

• Allergic reactions

• Irritation

• Urinary tract

infection

Internal (female)

condom

21 • Must use every time you

have vaginal sex

• Provides protection against

some STIs

• Burning sensation,

rash, or itching

• Discomfort or

pain during

insertion or sex

Anti-sperm vaginal

contraceptives

(includes spermicides

and other anti-sperm

agents)

21-28 • Must use every time you have

vaginal sex

• Allergic reactions

• Irritation

• Urinary tract

infection

Emergency Contraceptives (EC):

May be used if you did not use birth control or if your regular birth control fails (such as a condom

breaks). It should not be used as a regular form of birth control.

Levonorgestrel

1.5 mg (1 pill)

7 out of every

8 women who

would have

gotten pregnant

will not become

pregnant after

taking this EC

• Swallow the pill as soon as

possible within 3 days after

having unprotected sex

• Breast pain

• Dizziness

• Headache

• Lower stomach

(abdominal) pain

• Menstrual

changes

• Nausea

• Tiredness

• Vomiting

Ulipristal acetate 6 or 7 out of

every 10 women

who would have

gotten pregnant

will not become

pregnant after

taking this EC

• Swallow the pill(s) as soon as

possible within 5 days after

having unprotected sex

• Abdominal pain

• Dizziness

• Headache

• Menstrual pain

• Nausea

• Tiredness

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