Mechanisms of action and effectiveness of contraceptive methods

Effectiveness:
Effectiveness:
pregnancies per 100
pregnancies per 100
Method How it works women per year with
women per year as
consistent and correct
commonly used
use
Combined oral
Prevents the release of eggs from
contraceptives (COCs) or 0.3 7
the ovaries (ovulation)
“the pill”
Thickens cervical mucous to block
Progestogen-only pills
sperm and egg from meeting and 0.3 7
(POPs) or "the minipill"
prevents ovulation
Thickens cervical mucous to blocks
Implants sperm and egg from meeting and 0.1 0.1
prevents ovulation
Thickens cervical mucous to block
Progestogen only
sperm and egg from meeting and 0.2 4
injectables
prevents ovulation
Monthly injectables or
Prevents the release of eggs from
combined injectable 0.05 3
the ovaries (ovulation)
contraceptives (CIC)
Combined contraceptive 7 (for patch)
0.3 (for patch)
patch and combined Prevents the release of eggs from
contraceptive vaginal ring the ovaries (ovulation) 7 (for contraceptive
0.3 (for vaginal ring)
(CVR) vaginal ring)
Copper component damages sperm
Intrauterine device (IUD):
and prevents it from meeting the 0.6 0.8
copper containing
egg
Intrauterine device (IUD) Thickens cervical mucous to block
0.5 0.7
levonorgestrel sperm and egg from meeting
Forms a barrier to prevent sperm
Male condoms 2 13
and egg from meeting
Forms a barrier to prevent sperm
Female condoms 5 21
and egg from meeting
Male sterilization Keeps sperm out of ejaculated
0.1 0.15
(Vasectomy) semen
Female sterilization (tubal Eggs are blocked from meeting
0.5 0.5
ligation) sperm
Lactational amenorrhea Prevents the release of eggs from
0.9 (in six months) 2 (in six months)
method (LAM) the ovaries (ovulation)
Prevents pregnancy by avoiding
Standard Days Method or
unprotected vaginal sex during most 5 12
SDM
fertile days.
Prevents pregnancy by avoiding
Basal Body Temperature Reliable effectiveness
unprotected vaginal sex during
(BBT) Method rates are not available
fertile days

1
 Effectiveness:
Effectiveness:
pregnancies per 100
pregnancies per 100
Method How it works women per year with
women per year as
consistent and correct
commonly used
use
Prevents pregnancy by avoiding
TwoDay Method unprotected vaginal sex during most 4 14
fertile days,
Prevents pregnancy by avoiding
Sympto-thermal Method unprotected vaginal sex during most <1 2
fertile
< 1 for ulipristal acetate
ECPs
Emergency contraception Prevents or delays the release of
1 for progestin-only
pills (ulipristal acetate 30 eggs from the ovaries. Pills taken to
ECPs
mg or levonorgestrel 1.5 prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after
2 for combined
mg) unprotected sex
estrogen and progestin
ECPs
The couple prevents pregnancy by
avoiding unprotected vaginal sex
Calendar method or Reliable effectiveness
during the 1st and last estimated 15
rhythm method rates are not available
fertile days, by abstaining or using a
condom.
Tries to keep sperm out of the
Withdrawal (coitus
woman's body, preventing 4 20
interruptus)
fertilization