FEMALE BIRTH CONTROL OPTIONS

 

 
The effectiveness of various contraceptive methods can be quoted in two different ways. The first way, generally used by the manufacturers of the device or the drug is the theoretical efficacy. In other words, the effectiveness assuming that everything is done perfectly. Unfortunately in real-life, things aren’t always done perfectly. Mistakes can be made is the use of certain devices (such as the misplacement of a diaphragm. Sometimes a device will simply fail, such as a broken or torn condom. Sometimes people forget to take the Pill and sometimes people get whipped up in the passion of the moment and have intercourse even though they may not have their chosen method available.
When speaking of failure rates or success rates the rate applies to the percentage of women having “regular sex” and relying on a given method of contraception who are likely to become pregnant within a year. In other words if the “Pill” is 92% effective, this would mean that 8 out of 100 women relying on the Pill for contraception could be expected to become pregnant within a year.
To fully appreciate the efficacy rates for the various contraceptive methods quoted throughout this section its useful to know that 85 of 100 women of child-bearing age engaging in unprotected intercourse can be expected to become pregnant within a year.   
We quote the “real-life” efficacy rates in this section since that’s the rate that matters. The much higher theoretical effectiveness rates are irrelevant.

 

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