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Learning About How Well Birth Control Options Work

Before choosing birth control, you may want to compare how well each option works. Some birth control options prevent pregnancy better than others.

Comparing birth control options

How well each birth control option works is given as a percentage. The closer the percentage is to 100%, the better that option works to prevent pregnancy. This is during the first year of typical use. Using no birth control works about 15% of the time.

**Implant**
More than 99%
Lasts up to 3 years.

**IUD**
More than 99%
Lasts for up to 10 years depending on which IUD is used.

**Tubal ligation or vasectomy**
More than 98%
Usually is permanent.

**Shot (injection)**
94%
Get every 3 months.

**Vaginal ring**
91%
Change about every 3 weeks.

**Male condom**
82%
Use each time you have vaginal sex.

**Fertility awareness**
76%
Track daily, and avoid vaginal sex when you're fertile.

**Cervical cap**
68% if you have had a vaginal childbirth to 84% if you have not had a vaginal childbirth. Use each time you have vaginal sex. Cervical caps (FemCap) are no longer approved by Health Canada for sale in Canada. It may be difficult to buy the spermicidal jelly you need to use with the cap.

**Diaphragm**
84%
Use each time you have vaginal sex.

**Withdrawal**
78%
Use each time you have vaginal sex.

**Spermicide**
72%
Use each time you have vaginal sex.

**Internal (vaginal) condom**
79%
Use each time you have vaginal sex.

Comparing emergency contraception

Emergency contraception is a backup method to birth control. You can use it if you didn't use birth control or your birth control method failed. There are two types: a copper IUD and pills. Talk to your healthcare provider or visit a sexual health clinic to decide what is the best option for you.

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Learning About How Well Birth Control Options Work

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