Which birth control is more effective

However, within the first year of committing to abstinence, many couples become pregnant because they have sex anyway but don't use protection.

So it's a good idea even for people who don't plan to have sex to be informed about birth control. Couples who do have sex need to use birth control properly and every time to prevent pregnancy. For example, the birth control pill can be effective in preventing pregnancy.

But if a girl forgets to take her pills, this isn't an effective method for her. Condoms can be an effective form of birth control, too. But if a guy forgets to use a condom or doesn't use it correctly, it's not an effective way for him to prevent pregnancy.

For every couples using each type of birth control, the chart shows how many of these couples will get pregnant within a year. Thomas Ruiz says.

According to Planned Parenthood, fertility awareness methods are up to 76 to 88 percent effective. This means that about 24 out of every people using fertility awareness methods become pregnant. So, even though it might be tempting to use the age-old pull out method , this is by far one of the least effective birth control options.

You might want to believe it will work for you. You can find some of them for free at your local healthcare center. What is it? Internal condoms are latex-free, hormone-free polyurethane pouches that can be worn inside the vagina. They also greatly lower the risk of pregnancy and STI transmission. Effectiveness: Perfect use: 95 percent. Typical use: 79 percent.

You can pop this baby in up to 8! Internal condoms also fit less snugly around the penis — some users enjoy this freedom, but others say the extra bit of material interferes with sensation.

Cons: In addition to being 2 to 4 times the average cost of external condoms, these babies also have a bit of a learning curve. How to use them: Pinch the smaller, inner ring at the closed end of the condom while pulling back the folds of your labia around the vagina with your other hand. Insert the squeezed inner ring into your vagina.

Slide your forefinger, middle finger, or both into the open end of the condom until you feel its closed end. Carefully push the condom further until you reach the cervix. Rest the outer ring of the condom on your external hole and hold it in place during intercourse.

If the outer ring goes into the hole during penetration, pull it out. As far as birth control options go, the rubber is a classic. An external condom snugly covers the penis during intercourse and is designed to catch any fluid that comes out of the penis, including pre-ejaculate, come, and semen. Typical use: 86 percent. Pros: The external condom works double-duty, protecting you from STIs and unwanted pregnancy. Also, postcoital clean-up is a breeze.

Oh and, like the internal condom, while some people say they boost pleasure, those used to barrier-free sex may find the opposite. Remember: Internal and external condoms are the only birth control options that also reduce the risk of STI transmission! You place it deep inside the vagina where it covers the cervix and blocks sperm from entering the uterus, killing them if they make an attempt. Pros: You can pop this bad boy in up to 24 hours ahead of intercourse.

It can also be left in for as many rounds of sex as you can fit in that hour window. Cons: You have to leave the sponge in the vagina for 6 hours after sex, which some folks say feels messy think: dripping ejaculate.

A form of reusable prescription birth control, a diaphragm is a soft, silicone disk. Effectiveness: Perfect use: up to 96 percent. Typical use: 88 percent. Pros: Hormone- and latex-free, the diaphragm is a decent pick if you want a nonhormonal option or are allergic to latex. It can also be left in for 24 hours of hanky panky so long as you add more spermicide every 6 hours!

Diaphragms can get knocked out of place with aggressive thrusting. A cervical cap is a reusable, prescription silicone covering that you fill with spermicide and place over your cervix to prevent sperm from entering your uterus. Effectiveness: People who have never given birth: 86 percent. People who have given birth vaginally: 71 percent.

The difference here is because vaginal births stretch the vagina and cervix, which can cause the cervical cap to fit poorly or not as well as it should.

Maybe want to get pregnant in the near future? Cervical caps got your back. They can be left in for multiple acts of intercourse over the course of 48 hours. You only need to replace them every year or so, so the cost-per-use is pretty dang low.

The cap also has to be left in place for 4 hours after sex, which some find bothersome. It also requires a prescription and must be replaced every 12 months.

In addition to working with sponges, diaphragms, and cervical caps, spermicide can also be used by itself. Squirt or insert the substance into your vagina before sex.

During sex, the chemicals in the goop will kill sperm. Cons: There are LOTS of different spermicide options on the market, so finding one that you like best can take some trial and error. Emergency contraceptive pills are highly effective when taken properly, within 72 hours after intercourse.

Condom Cons: Male condoms are only about 82 percent effective for preventing pregnancy, and female condoms 79 percent effective. Because of the high failure rate, Newmann suggests using condoms with another form of birth control. Some women also complain that female condoms are awkward to place and can create funny sounds. These are barrier methods of birth control.

The diaphragm is a flexible cup that you place in your vagina to block sperm from entering your uterus. It's most effective when used with spermicide. You will have to be fitted for a diaphragm by your doctor, and it's a good idea to replace it after a year. You'll have to examine it occasionally, as well, to make sure there are no holes, tears, or thinning of the latex.

The cervical cap is similar to the diaphragm. You'll have to be fitted for one by a healthcare professional, and it's best to use it with spermicide. You place it in your vagina, where it keeps sperm from entering the cervix.

It should also be replaced yearly. The sponge is soft foam coated with spermicide. The device looks like a donut, and covers the cervix when you insert it into your vagina. Pros: All of these items are hormone-free. You can insert your diaphragm or cervical cap anywhere from just before sex up to six hours before intercourse.

They're both great options if you have medical conditions, such as breast cancer, that make it unsafe to use hormones for birth control. Unlike those methods, the sponge is an over-the-counter item. Cons: To be most effective, diaphragms and cervical caps should be used with spermicide and left in place for at least six hours after having sex. With diaphragms, this may increase your risk for urinary tract infections , but urinating after sex can help you avoid them.

With cervical caps, there are risks for bladder infections. While it is extremely rare, all three methods may cause toxic shock syndrome. So don't leave a diaphragm in for more than 24 hours, and don't leave a cervical cap in for more than 48 hours. If you are at risk of HIV infection, these two methods should probably be avoided because an ingredient used in spermicides can increase your risk of getting HIV from your partner.

And, says Newmann, the diaphragm is only 88 percent effective for preventing pregnancy, as is the sponge in women who have not yet had a baby. Cervical caps are at best 86 percent effective. There are a slew of birth control pills for women to choose from, including ones that use only progestin or a combination of estrogen and progestin. Pill Pros: If you pop the pill flawlessly, the failure rate can be as low as 1 percent. Combination birth control pills can also lead to less painful menstrual cramps , lighter periods, and fewer symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

The pill may also provide protection against pelvic inflammatory disease , endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer. Progestin-only pills known as "minipills" are safer for women who have a history of blood clots or have uncontrolled high blood pressure. Both types of contraception help regulate your periods, as well. Birth control pills can cause spotting, breast tenderness, nausea, and low sex drive.

Combination pills carry a risk of blood clots and increase your risk of stroke if you smoke, Dr. Newmann says.