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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.”
2
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.
3
Refer to the Prescribing Information or instructions for use for a specific product or ask your health care provider for specific instructions for use.
4
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
1
NUMBER OF
PREGNANCIES
EXPECTED
(per 100 women)
2
USE
3
SOME RISKS OR SIDE EFFECTS
4
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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