Session I: Characteristics Female Condoms

First-Year Pregnancy Rate per 100 Women Male and Female Condoms: Effectiveness Spermicides Vasectomy Tubal Ligation LNG-IUD Copper-IUD LAM (6 months) Progestin-only Injectables COCs Progestin-only Pills Male Condoms Standard Days Method Female Condoms Implants First-Year Pregnancy Rate per 100 Women Suggested script: This chart compares the pregnancy rates of condoms with the rates for other contraceptive methods. The blue diamonds show pregnancy rates for correct and consistent use, reflecting how often a contraceptive fails when it is used both correctly and consistently. The red circles show pregnancy rates for methods as they are commonly used, reflecting how often a contraceptive fails in real-life situations, when it may not always be used correctly and consistently. Male condoms are between 82 percent and 98 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. When male condoms are used correctly for every act of vaginal sex, the pregnancy rate is about two percent, so they are 98 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. However, as male condoms are commonly used, the pregnancy rate is about 18 percent. For both male and female condoms there is a substantial difference between the pregnancy rates for correct and consistent use and the rates as condoms are commonly used. Female condoms have a five percent pregnancy rate for correct and consistent use and a 21 percent pregnancy rate as they are commonly used.1 Reference: 1. Trussel J and Aiken ARA, Contraceptive efficacy. In: Hatcher RA et al. Contraceptive Technology, 21st revised edition. New York, Ardent Media, 2018 Source: Trussel J and Aiken ARA, Contraceptive efficacy. In: Hatcher RA et al. Contraceptive Technology, 21st revised edition. New York, Ardent Media, 2018