What Is Birth Control Failure?

Birth control failure is also commonly called contraceptive failure. There are many different methods of birth control to choose from. The effectiveness of these varies.

What Birth Control Failure is

Birth control failure occurs when a woman becomes pregnant despite the use of contraceptives.

How Birth Control Fails

Some birth control methods fail because they cause discomfort and are not used. Others fail because they are only effective if strict guidelines for use are followed. Yet some fail even when all rules are perfectly applied.

Failure Rates

Failure rates range from .1 percent to as high as 26 percent. Sterilization, oral contraceptives, Lunelle injection, Ortho-Evra patch, IUDs and the Depo-Provera injection have the lowest failure rates. Highest failure rates are in condoms, cervical cap, diaphragm, fertility awareness, spermicides and withdrawal.

Only 100 percent Effective Option

Abstinence is the only birth control method that has a 0 percent failure rate. Every other method has conception risks associated with it.

Failure Options

You have a few options if you experience birth control failure. The most obvious is to become a parent. If you realize that you may be in danger of conception within 72 hours, you can try the Morning After Pill. These usually cost between $40 and $100 for a one-time supply and are only partially effective at preventing pregnancy.