Reasons for Birth Control Failure

The American Pregnancy Association estimates that birth control is used in 53 percent of all unplanned pregnancies. This surprising statistic points to the sad truth, although many forms of birth control claim to be highly effective, that with average use failure is possible and in some cases even likely. To get the most out of your birth control, consider using multiple options simultaneously and be aware of the reasons that your favorite birth control can fail.

Barrier Method

Barrier methods of birth control include condoms, spermicides, cervical caps and diaphragms. They work by preventing semen from entering the cervix and preventing sperm from meeting egg. Barrier methods of birth control fail predominately due to misuse. When any of these types of birth control are placed improperly they have the propensity to slip allowing sperm through. Occasionally, a faulty condom or diaphragm will break causing failure.

Hormonal Methods

Hormonal patches, rings, pills and injections are all used to prevent pregnancy by preventing ovulation. Hormonal birth control can fail for a number of reasons. Antibiotics will lessen the affects of birth control while low doses due to weight gain or failure to switch to a higher dose after breastfeeding can also result in pregnancy. However, the most common reason for hormonal birth control failure is misuse. Sometimes a ring or patch will be misplaced. Occasionally a session of treatments is missed. Other times women fail to wait the suggested amount of time after getting on the birth control before having sex.

Natural Family Planning

Natural family planning, also referred to as the rhythm method, involves tracking and charting a woman's peak fertility and abstaining from sex on peak days. This method fails for a variety of reasons. Often the cause is due to a change in the woman's cycle of a charting mishap. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services failure can also occur due to the fact that sperm can stay viable for an estimated five days in a woman's body, yet most women only abstain for a day or two before ovulation.

Intrauterine Devices

Intrauterine devices (IUD) are among the most reliable kind of birth control. They work as a combination of a barrier method and hormonal method by physically preventing sperm from meeting an egg and by releasing a low amount of hormones. However, an IUD can become displaced in the uterus or may be placed improperly. Not only can this lead to pregnancy but it often leads to complications. Ectopic pregnancy, birth defects and miscarriage are among the most severe threats.

Sterilization

Aside from abstinence, permanent sterilization is considered by the Food and Drug Administration to be the best way to prevent pregnancy. Less than one woman of every 100 will become pregnant each year if either partner is sterilized. Typically sterilization fails because men do not use an alternate form of birth control, as advised, shortly after surgery. Occasionally, sterilization fails because the fallopian tubes or vas deferens reattach, resulting in fertility.