Comparison of birth control methods: Difference between revisions

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{{Use American English|date=February 2023}}

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[[File:Contraceptive Effectiveness Comparison Table English.pdf|alt=Table of various contraceptives and their effectivenessEffectivenessofcontraceptives.png|thumb|440x440px440px|Effectiveness of contraceptive methods with respect to birth control. Only condoms are useful to prevent [[sexually transmitted infections]].]]

There are many methods of [[birth control]] (or [[Birth control|contraception]]) that vary in requirements, [[Side effect|side effects]], and [[effectiveness]]. As the technology, education, and awareness about contraception has evolved, new contraception methods have been theorized and put in application. Although no method of birth control is ideal for every user, some methods remain more effective, affordable or intrusive than others. Outlined here are the different types of [[Safe sex|barrier methods]], [[Hormonal contraception|hormonal methods]], various methods including [[spermicide]]s, [[Emergency contraception|emergency contraceptives]], and surgical methods<ref name="cdc-2020">{{Cite web |date=2020-08-13 |title=Contraception {{!}} Reproductive Health {{!}} CDC |url=https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/index.htm |access-date=2021-11-18 |website=www.cdc.gov |language=en-us}}</ref> and a comparison between them.

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===Barrier methods ===

The [[Condom|male condom]] is typically made of [[latex]] (but other materials are available, such as [[Lambskin condom|lambskin]], if either partner has a [[latex allergy]]). The male condom is placed over the male's penis and prevents the sperm and semen from entering the partner's body. It can prevent pregnancy, and STIs such as, but not limited to, HIV if used appropriately. Male condoms are disposable (each condom can only be used once) and are easily accessible at local stores in most countries. Condoms have a failure rate of 2% when used correctly during every act of intercourse, and 13% when used 'typically', which includes cases where they are used inconsistently or incorrectly.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-23 |title=Contraceptive Effectiveness in the United States {{!}} Guttmacher Institute |url=https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/contraceptive-effectiveness-united-states |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=www.guttmacher.org |language=en}}</ref><ref name="cdc-2020" />

The [[Diaphragm (birth control)|diaphragm]] or [[cervical cap]] is a small shallow cup-like cap that is inserted into the vagina with spermicide to cover the cervix and block sperm from entering the uterus. It is inserted before sexual intercourse and comes in different sizes. It needs to be fitted by a medical professional. It has a failure rate of 17%.<ref name="cdc-2020" />

AThe [[contraceptiveDiaphragm sponge(birth control)|diaphragm]] isor another[[cervical contraceptivecap]] method.is Likea thesmall diaphragm,shallow thecup-like contraceptivecap sponge contains [[spermicide]] andthat is inserted into the vagina andwith placedspermicide overto cover the [[cervix]] toand preventblock [[sperm]] from entering the [[uterus]]. TheIt spongeis mustinserted be kept in place 6 hours afterbefore sexual intercourse beforeand itcomes canin bedifferent removed and discardedsizes. TheIt failureneeds rateto for women whobe havefitted hadby a babymedical beforeprofessional. isIt 27%; for those who have not hadhas a baby, the failure rate isof 1417%.<ref name="cdc-2020" />

TheA [[Condom|malecontraceptive condomsponge]] is typicallyanother madecontraceptive ofmethod [[latex]]Like (butthe otherdiaphragm, materialsthe arecontraceptive available,sponge such ascontains [[Lambskin condom|lambskinspermicide]], ifand eitheris partnerinserted hasinto athe [[latexvagina allergy]]). The male condom isand placed over the male's[[cervix]] penisto and prevents theprevent [[sperm]] from entering the partner's body[[uterus]]. ItThe cansponge preventmust pregnancy,be andkept STIsin suchplace as,6 buthours notafter limitedsexual to,intercourse HIVbefore ifit usedcan appropriatelybe removed and discarded. MaleThe condomsfailure canrate onlyfor bewomen usedwho oncehave andhad area easilybaby accessiblebefore atis local27%; storesfor inthose mostwho countries.have Thenot had a baby, the failure rate is 1314%.<ref name="cdc-2020" />

The [[female condom]] is worn by the woman; it is inserted into the vagina and prevents the sperm from entering her body. It can help prevent [[Sexually transmitted infection|STIs]] and can be inserted up to 8 hours before intercourse. The failure rate is 21%.<ref name="cdc-2020" />

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Barrier methods have a risk of allergic reactions. Users sensitive to latex may use barriers made of less allergenic materials - polyurethane condoms, or silicone diaphragms, for example. Barrier methods are also often combined with spermicides, which have possible side effects of genital irritation, vaginal infection, and urinary tract infection.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

Sterilization procedures are generally considered to have a low risk of side effects, though some persons and organizations disagree.<ref>{{Cite web | vauthors = Bloomquist M |date=May 2000 |title=Getting Your Tubes Tied: Is this common procedure causing uncommon problems? |url=http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=51216 |access-date=2006-09-25 |website=MedicineNet.com |publisher=WebMD}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | vauthors = Hauber KC |title=If It Works, Don't Fix It! |url=http://www.dontfixit.org/ |access-date=2006-09-25}}{{MEDRS|date=September 2012}}</ref> Female sterilization is a more significant operation than vasectomy, and has greater risks; in industrialized nations, mortality is 4 per 100,000 tubal ligations, versus 0.1 per 100,000 vasectomies.<ref>{{Cite journal |vauthors=Awsare NS, Krishnan J, Boustead GB, Hanbury DC, McNicholas TA |date=November 2005 |title=Complications of vasectomy |journal=Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England |volume=87 |issue=6 |pages=406–10 |doi=10.1308/003588405X71054 |doi-broken-date=11 July 2025 |pmc=1964127 |pmid=16263006}}</ref>

After IUD insertion, users may experience irregular periods in the first 3–6 months with Mirena, and sometimes heavier periods and worse menstrual cramps with ParaGard. However, continuation rates are much higher with IUDs compared to non-long-acting methods.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Committee on Practice Bulletins-Gynecology, Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Work Group |date=November 2017 |title=Practice Bulletin No. 186: Long-Acting Reversible Contraception: Implants and Intrauterine Devices |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29064972 |journal=Obstetrics and Gynecology |volume=130 |issue=5 |pages=e251–e269 |doi=10.1097/AOG.0000000000002400 |issn=1873-233X |pmid=29064972 |s2cid=35477591}}</ref> A positive characteristic of IUDs is that fertility and the ability to become pregnant returns quickly once the IUD is removed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Planned Parenthood IUD Birth Control - Mirena IUD - ParaGard IUD |url=http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/iud-4245.htm |access-date=2012-02-26}}</ref>

Because of their systemic nature, hormonal methods have the largest number of possible side effects.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Healthwise. |title=Advantages and Disadvantages of Hormonal Birth Control |url=http://healthlinksbc.org/kb/content/frame/tw9513.html |access-date=2010-07-06}}</ref> Combined hormonal contraceptives contain estrogen and progestin hormones.<ref name="teal-2021">{{cite journal | vauthors = Teal S, Edelman A | title = Contraception Selection, Effectiveness, and Adverse Effects: A Review | journal = JAMA | volume = 326 | issue = 24 | pages = 2507–2518 | date = December 2021 | pmid = 34962522 | doi = 10.1001/jama.2021.21392 | s2cid = 245557522 | doi-access = free }}</ref> They can come in formulations such as pills, vaginal rings, and transdermal patches.<ref name="teal-2021" /> Most people who use combined hormonal contraception experience breakthrough bleeding within the first 3 months.<ref name="teal-2021" /> Other common side effects include headaches, breast tenderness, and changes in mood.<ref name="barr-2020">{{cite journal | vauthors = Grossman Barr N | title = Managing adverse effects of hormonal contraceptives | journal = American Family Physician | volume = 82 | issue = 12 | pages = 1499–1506 | date = December 2010 | pmid = 21166370 | url = https://www.aafp.org/afp/2010/1215/afp20101215p1499.pdf }}</ref> Side effects from hormonal contraceptives typically disappear over time (3-5 months) with consistent use.<ref name="barr-2020" /> Less common effects of combined hormonal contraceptives include increasing the risk of deep vein thrombosis to 2-10 per 10,000 women per year and venous thrombotic events (see [[venous thrombosis]]) to 7-10 per 10,000 women per year.<ref name="teal-2021" />

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Actual failure rates are higher than perfect-use rates for a variety of reasons:

* Mistakes on the part of those providing instructions on how to use the method.

* Inconsistent use of the method

* Mistakes on the part of the method's users.

* Conscious user non-compliance with the method.