Percent of Women Experiencing Unintended Pregnancy within ...



Percent of Women Experiencing Unintended Pregnancy within One Year

|Method |Percentage w/ Typical Use |Percentage w/ Perfect Use |

|No protection |85% |85% |

|Spermicide (foam or film) |29% |18% |

|Withdrawal |27% |4% |

|Condom (female) |21% |5% |

|Cervical cap (in women who have never given birth) |16% |9% |

|Sponge (in women who have never given birth) |16% |9% |

|Diaphragm |16% |6% |

|Condom (male) |15% |2% |

|Oral contraceptives |8% |0.3% |

|Patch |8% |0.3% |

|Injectable Contraception |

|     Depo-Provera |3% |0.3% |

|     Lunelle |3% |0.05% |

|Intrauterine Contraception |

|     Copper T IUD |0.8% |0.6% |

|     LNG-IUS |0.1% |0.1% |

|Implant |0.05% |0.05% |

|Emergency contraceptive pills: Treatment initiated within 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse reduces the risk of |

|pregnancy by at least 75%. |

Source: Hatcher RA et al. Contraceptive Technology. 18th rev. edition. New York, NY: Ardent Media, 2004.

Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills

What are combined oral contraceptive pills?

Combined birth control pills contain two hormones, an estrogen and a progestin. They work by stopping ovulation (release of an egg) and by inhibiting the movement of sperm. Among typical couples who initiate use of combined pills about eight percent of women will experience an accidental pregnancy in the first year. But if pills are used consistently and correctly, just three in 1,000 women will become pregnant. For increased protection against sexually transmitted diseases, use condoms as well.

Complete information about this contraceptive method is available through a clinician or the package insert accompanying the specific pills you are taking.

What is a cervical cap?

The cervical cap is a small cap made of soft latex. A doctor or nurse practitioner "fits" a woman for a cervical cap. The woman puts spermicide (which destroys the sperm) in the cap and then places the cap up into her vagina and onto her cervix (the opening of the womb). Suction keeps the cap in place so sperm cannot enter the uterus (the womb). Women should obtain a new cap yearly. Among typical couples who initiate use of the cap before having a child, about 16 percent of women will experience an accidental pregnancy in the first year. If the cervical cap is used consistently and correctly, about nine percent of women will become pregnant. Failure rates are significantly higher if the cervical cap is used after a woman has had a child.

What are condoms?

Effective condoms, or "rubbers," are made of latex or plastic. Unrolled, condoms look like long, thin balloons. They prevent body fluids from mixing when two people have sex. The condom is put onto the penis before the penis comes into contact with the vagina, mouth, or anus.

Among typical couples who initiate use of latex male condoms, about 15 percent of women will experience an accidental pregnancy in the first year. If condoms are used consistently and correctly, about two percent of women will experience pregnancy. Condoms are most effective when they are used in combination with another method of contraception, such as the pill or foam. Complete information about condoms is available through your local family planning clinic, store, or school.

What is a diaphragm?

A diaphragm is a latex disc a woman places into her vagina. It should be left in the vagina at least 6 hours but no more than 24 hours after intercourse. The diaphragm blocks a man's semen from entering the cervix (the opening to the womb). A spermicide placed onto the diaphragm kills sperm. Diaphragm and the spermicide keep sperm from getting to the egg. Among typical couples who initiate use of the diaphragm, about 16 percent of women will experience an accidental pregnancy in the first year. If the diaphragm is used consistently and correctly, about 6 percent of women will experience pregnancy. Use condoms as well as the diaphragm for the most effective protection. Complete information about this contraceptive is available through a family planning association or clinician or through the package insert accompanying a diaphragm.

What is the female condom?

Reality™ female condoms are made of a thin plastic called polyurethane. This is NOT latex. The condom is placed into the woman's vagina. It is open at one end and closed at the other. Both ends have a flexible ring used to keep the condom in the vagina. Among typical women use of Reality™ condoms, about 21 percent will experience an accidental pregnancy in the first year. If these condoms are used consistently and correctly, about 5 percent of women will experience pregnancy. Complete information about this contraceptive is available through a clinician or through the package insert

Myths About Contraception

Studies in the The Journal of Sex Research have showed that, out of a list of eight reasons for having sex, having a baby is the least frequent motivator for most people (Hill, 1997). All throughout history, people have wanted to be able to decide when and whether to have a child. Given this, birth control methods have been used in one form or another for thousands of years. As contraceptives evolved, so too have the myths surrounding their use. How much do you know about contraception and your chances of becoming pregnant? Can you identify the myths verses the facts?

1. A Female Can't Get Pregnant the First Time

A woman's chances for becoming pregnant are always the same, about 1 out of 20 - even if it is her first time. A female can become pregnant any time after she begins to ovulate. This may mean that a person can become pregnant before she even has her very first period (since she ovulates approximately 14 days before her period begins). Do not be pressured by comments like, "don't worry, it's your first time", and don't assume that a person may be too young (or too old) to get pregnant.

2. Douching, Showering, or Bathing Can Prevent Pregnancy

Douching is not an effective method of birth control as it is impossible to douche fast enough to keep sperm away from fertilizing an egg. This is true even if you douche immediately after sexual intercourse. Urinating or taking a bath or shower will also not wash sperm out. There is a theory that douching with Coca Cola is supposed to kill sperm; although this is true, it is not recommended as it can cause harm to the reproductive track. As a side note, deodorant vaginal suppositories or sprays do not work either and can be equally as harmful.

More: What Counts as Contraception

3. A Female Can't Get Pregnant if the Male "Pulls Out" Before He Ejaculates

This is a huge myth! Withdrawal is not reliable, and there are several reasons for this. Once a male becomes aroused, he ejects pre-ejaculate fluid - this fluid can contain at least 300,000 sperm (and it only takes 1 to join an egg)! There is also the risk that he doesn't pull out in time as, in the heat of the moment, it can be hard to keep control. Even if he ejaculates outside of the vagina, sperm can swim, so semen anywhere near the vagina can still lead to pregnancy (this means that pregnancy can occur even without penile penetration if a male ejaculates on or near the vagina).

More: How Effective is Withdrawal?

4. A Female Can't Get Pregnant if She Has Sex During Her Period

Many women (and men) believe this myth. It is possible for a female to get pregnant at any time during her menstrual cycle. Generally, when you are having your period, it means that you are not ovulating. If this is the case, then you will not get pregnant. However, females with irregular or shorter cycles can actually ovulate during their period. It is not guaranteed that you will ovulate mid-cycle. Sperm can live inside a woman's body for up to 5 days, so if you ovulate anytime within 7 days of having unprotected sex, you could become pregnant.

More: How Female Hormones Trigger Ovulation

5. Birth Control Pills Cause Cancer

Though there may sometimes be side effects with the pill, it has not been conclusively linked to cancer; the most recent research suggests that the pill has little, if any, effect on the risk of developing breast cancer. In fact, according to Planned Parenthood, women who us the Pill are only 1/3 as likely to get cancer or the ovaries or lining of the uterus as those who do not. Protection against developing these cancers increases with each year of use and can last up to 30 years after stopping the combination pill.

More: Common Myths and Misconceptions about The Pill

6. Use Saran Wrap (or a Balloon) if You Can't Find a Condom

Yes, this is a myth floating around out there! Saran wrap is no substitute for a condom. If you do not have a reliable birth control method handy, do not use plastic sandwich wrap around a penis as a way to prevent pregnancy - It does not work (neither does using a balloon, so don't try that either)! On a somewhat related note, never use toothpaste in place of a spermicide (it does not kill sperm - as many people have heard).

More: Tips to Increase The Effectiveness of a Condom

7. Pregnancy is Prevented by Jumping Up and Down or Placing Seeds in the Vagina

There are many believers out there that sneezing, coughing, and jumping up and down after sex will dislodge sperm. This is all untrue; sperm are too quick and too tiny for any of these methods to work. Plus, placing objects (such as seeds or plants) into the vagina before, during, or after sex will have no effect on preventing conception. This behavior can be dangerous as it can be harmful to the female's body.

More: How to Choose a Contraceptive That Works

8. Having Sex Standing Up Works as a Contraceptive

Myths surrounding the way you have sex are very common. The most frequent one that I hear is that you can't get pregnant if you are standing up while having sex. On a similar note, there are stories that you are less likely to get pregnant the fewer times that you have had sex. A note to the wise: any "advice" you stumble across that depends on how many times you have had sex or the position you are in while engaging in intercourse is not a birth control method and will most likely result in failure.

More: Reliable Methods of Birth Control

9. Not Having an Orgasm Can Be a Great Method of Birth Control

A lot of women believe that if they don't allow themselves to climax during sex, they will not get pregnant. Pleasure has nothing to do with birth control - whether or not you enjoy sex (with or without an orgasm), you can still get pregnant.

More: Prescription Contraceptives for Women

10. A Woman is More Protected, the Tighter a Condom Fits Her Partner

This too is a misconception based on the belief that the tighter the condom, the less likely sperm will seep out or that the condom will slip off during sex. However, a condom that is too tight is more likely to rupture during intercourse. When using a condom, it is also important to leave some space near the tip to safely catch the ejaculate (sperm); this prevents the condom from being over-stretched once the man ejaculates.

More: All About Male Condoms

Updated: August 10, 2007

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