A study conducted by Washington University scientists in the US found that we tend to believe contraception to be more reliable and effective than it is in reality.
A contraception questionnaire was completed by 4100 women with each participant being asked to give the percentage of women they thought would get pregnant within a year while using the most common forms of contraception. The results of the study were published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and gave some surprising results.
Of the women involved in the study 86% knew that the annual risk of pregnancy would be greater than 10% if contraception was omitted entirely, but over 45% of women overestimated the effectiveness of contraceptive methods such as pill, the patch and condoms. The study concluded that women ‘demonstrated significant knowledge gaps regarding contraceptive effectiveness and overestimated the effectiveness of pills, the patch, the ring, depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate and condoms’. Clearly the belief that contraception will prevent an unplanned pregnancy is a common misconception. No form of contraception is 100% effective even if taken as directed. The only 100% effective way of not getting pregnant is to not have sex at all!
Below I have listed some of the most common forms of contraception and how effective each of them are. I have written how many women are expected to get pregnant over a year while using each method. This may surprise you…it certainly surprised me!
Less than 1 per 100 women – Vasectomy, Female Sterilisation, IUD, Implant
2-9 per 100 women – Breastfeeding, Injection, Pill, Ring, Patch
15-24 per 100 women – Diaphragm, Male Condom, Female Condom, Withdrawal, Cervical Cap, Sponge
About 25 per 100 women – Spermicide, Fertility Awareness Methods
So all in all the most effective forms of non-permanent contraception are the IUD and the Implant, but each woman is different and not all forms of contraception are suitable for everyone. If you have any questions or concerns about contraception consult your doctor. They will be able to provide up to the minute advice on what’s best for you and your partner.
Sleep specialist
Using the acquired academic and professional experience, I advise patients with various complaints about mental health - depressed mood, nervousness, lack of energy and interest, sleep disorders, panic attacks, obsessive thoughts and anxieties, difficulty concentrating, and stress. In my free time, I love to paint and go on long walks on the beach. One of my latest obsessions is sudoku – a wonderful activity to calm an unease mind.
- How to Manage or Improve Anxiety - September 21, 2023
- The birth of a company - July 29, 2023
- Online Fitness & Nutrition/Personal Training by Rob Powell - July 7, 2023
