The Short Answer
There are many birth control options available, each with different effectiveness rates, side effects, and requirements. The most effective methods are IUDs and implants (99%+ effective), while pills, patches, and rings are 91-99% effective with typical use. The best option depends on your lifestyle, health, and preferences.
If you’re comparing methods and want to track how you feel on one, the bloom app can help you log side effects and reminders privately.
Key Points:
- Multiple options available with different effectiveness rates
- Consider lifestyle, health, and preferences when choosing
- Most methods are highly effective when used correctly
- Talk to your healthcare provider about the best option for you
Birth Control Effectiveness Comparison
| Method | Perfect Use | Typical Use | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| IUD (Hormonal) | 99.8% | 99.8% | 3-7 years |
| IUD (Copper) | 99.2% | 99.2% | 10+ years |
| Implant | 99.95% | 99.95% | 3-5 years |
| Birth Control Pills | 99.7% | 91% | Daily |
| Patch | 99.7% | 91% | Weekly |
| Vaginal Ring | 99.7% | 91% | Monthly |
| Shot (Depo) | 99.8% | 94% | 3 months |
| Condoms (Male) | 98% | 82% | Per use |
| Condoms (Female) | 95% | 79% | Per use |
Hormonal Birth Control Methods
Birth Control Pills
How it works: Daily pill containing hormones that prevent ovulation
Types: Combination (estrogen + progestin) or progestin-only
Effectiveness: 91-99.7%
Duration: Daily
Cost: $0-50/month
Pros:
- Highly effective when taken correctly
- Can improve acne and regulate periods
- Reversible immediately
- No insertion procedure needed
Cons:
- Must remember to take daily
- May cause side effects
- Requires prescription
- Can be affected by other medications
Birth Control Patch
How it works: Hormone-releasing patch worn on skin
Types: Combination hormones (estrogen + progestin)
Effectiveness: 91-99.7%
Duration: Change weekly
Cost: $0-80/month
Pros:
- Only need to remember weekly
- Highly effective
- No daily pill to remember
- Can improve acne and periods
Cons:
- May cause skin irritation
- Visible on skin
- Can fall off
- May cause side effects
Vaginal Ring
How it works: Flexible ring inserted in vagina that releases hormones
Types: Combination hormones (estrogen + progestin)
Effectiveness: 91-99.7%
Duration: Change monthly
Cost: $0-80/month
Pros:
- Only need to remember monthly
- Highly effective
- Can't feel it during sex
- Can improve acne and periods
Cons:
- Must be comfortable inserting/removing
- May cause vaginal irritation
- Can fall out
- May cause side effects
Birth Control Shot (Depo-Provera)
How it works: Hormone injection given every 3 months
Types: Progestin-only
Effectiveness: 94-99.8%
Duration: 3 months
Cost: $0-100/3 months
Pros:
- Only need injection every 3 months
- Highly effective
- No daily/weekly/monthly maintenance
- Can reduce or stop periods
Cons:
- Must visit healthcare provider every 3 months
- May cause weight gain
- May cause irregular bleeding
- Can take up to 10 months to return to fertility
Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC)
Hormonal IUD
How it works: Small T-shaped device inserted in uterus that releases hormones
Types: Progestin-only (Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta, Skyla)
Effectiveness: 99.8%
Duration: 3-7 years
Cost: $0-1,300 (one-time)
Pros:
- Most effective birth control method
- Long-lasting (3-7 years)
- Can reduce or stop periods
- Reversible immediately after removal
Cons:
- Requires insertion procedure
- May cause cramping during insertion
- May cause irregular bleeding initially
- Requires healthcare provider for removal
Copper IUD
How it works: Copper device inserted in uterus that prevents pregnancy
Types: Non-hormonal (Paragard)
Effectiveness: 99.2%
Duration: 10+ years
Cost: $0-1,300 (one-time)
Pros:
- No hormones
- Long-lasting (10+ years)
- Highly effective
- Reversible immediately after removal
Cons:
- May cause heavier periods
- May cause more cramping
- Requires insertion procedure
- Requires healthcare provider for removal
Birth Control Implant
How it works: Small rod inserted under skin in arm that releases hormones
Types: Progestin-only (Nexplanon)
Effectiveness: 99.95%
Duration: 3-5 years
Cost: $0-1,300 (one-time)
Pros:
- Most effective birth control method
- Long-lasting (3-5 years)
- Can reduce or stop periods
- Reversible immediately after removal
Cons:
- May cause irregular bleeding
- May cause mood changes
- Requires insertion/removal procedure
- May cause weight gain
Barrier Methods
Male Condoms
How it works: Latex or polyurethane sheath worn over penis
Types: Latex, polyurethane, lambskin
Effectiveness: 82-98%
Duration: Per use
Cost: $0.50-2.00 per use
Pros:
- Protects against STIs
- No prescription needed
- Immediately reversible
- Widely available
Cons:
- Must use every time
- Can break or slip off
- May reduce sensation
- Requires partner cooperation
Female Condoms
How it works: Polyurethane pouch inserted in vagina
Types: Polyurethane
Effectiveness: 79-95%
Duration: Per use
Cost: $2-4 per use
Pros:
- Protects against STIs
- No prescription needed
- Woman controls use
- Can be inserted up to 8 hours before sex
Cons:
- Must use every time
- Can be difficult to insert
- May reduce sensation
- More expensive than male condoms
Diaphragm
How it works: Silicone cup inserted in vagina to cover cervix
Types: Silicone with spermicide
Effectiveness: 71-88%
Duration: Per use
Cost: $0-75 (one-time) + spermicide
Pros:
- No hormones
- Reusable
- Can be inserted up to 2 hours before sex
- Woman controls use
Cons:
- Must use with spermicide
- Requires fitting by healthcare provider
- Must be left in place for 6 hours after sex
- May cause urinary tract infections
Natural Family Planning Methods
Fertility Awareness Methods
How it works: Tracking fertility signs to avoid sex during fertile days
Types: Calendar, cervical mucus, basal body temperature
Effectiveness: 76-88%
Duration: Daily tracking
Cost: $0-50 (for tracking tools)
Pros:
- No hormones or devices
- No side effects
- Can help understand your cycle
- Immediately reversible
Cons:
- Requires daily tracking
- Less effective than other methods
- Requires abstinence during fertile days
- Can be affected by illness or stress
Emergency Contraception
Plan B (Levonorgestrel)
How it works: High-dose progestin pill taken after unprotected sex
Types: Over-the-counter emergency contraception
Effectiveness: 75-89% (within 72 hours)
Duration: Single use
Cost: $10-50
Pros:
- Available over-the-counter
- Can be taken up to 72 hours after
- No prescription needed
- Safe for most people
Cons:
- Less effective than regular birth control
- May cause nausea or irregular bleeding
- More effective the sooner it's taken
- Not a regular birth control method
Copper IUD as Emergency Contraception
How it works: Copper IUD inserted within 5 days of unprotected sex
Types: Paragard copper IUD
Effectiveness: 99.9% (within 5 days)
Duration: 10+ years of protection
Cost: $0-1,300
Pros:
- Most effective emergency contraception
- Provides long-term birth control
- No hormones
- Can be used up to 5 days after
Cons:
- Requires healthcare provider insertion
- May cause cramping
- More expensive than pills
- Requires appointment
How to Choose the Right Method
Consider These Factors:
- Effectiveness: How important is it to avoid pregnancy?
- Lifestyle: Can you remember to take a pill daily? If your lifestyle makes daily pills hard to stick with, see how alcohol interacts with different methods
- Side effects: Are you comfortable with potential side effects?
- Cost: What's your budget for birth control?
- Duration: Do you want short-term or long-term protection?
- Health conditions: Do you have any medical conditions that affect your options?
- Future plans: When do you want to have children?
Before your appointment, see how Bloom supports birth control routines with reminders, timeline tracking, and symptom logs you can review quickly.
Getting Started
Steps to Get Birth Control:
- Research your options - Use this guide to understand different methods
- Talk to your healthcare provider - Discuss your options and health history
- Get a prescription - Most hormonal methods require a prescription
- Start your method - Follow instructions carefully
- Monitor side effects - Track any changes and report concerns
- Follow up - Schedule regular check-ups as recommended