Because of a lapse in government funding, the information on this website may not be up to date, transactions submitted via the website may not be processed, and the agency may not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted.

The NIH Clinical Center (the research hospital of NIH) is open. For more details about its operating status, please visit cc.nih.gov.

Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at OPM.gov.

How effective is contraception?

Different methods of contraception have different rates of effectiveness in preventing pregnancy.

Contraception is most effective when used correctly and consistently. The failure rate increases if a method of contraception is used incorrectly or inconsistently.

Only male and female condoms are effective at reducing the spread of STDs.

For details about the effectiveness of specific methods of contraception, as well as potential side effects and risks, visit the website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Women's Health.1
 

Citations

  1. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health. (2012). Birth control methods fact sheet. Retrieved February 23, 2016, from https://womenshealth.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fact-sheet-birth-control-methods.pdf (PDF 135 KB)
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