Examples of contraceptive methods

These methods may be used by men or women to (a) permanently or (b) temporarily prevent pregnancies. The estimated first year failure rates for each method are given in parentheses (collected from data published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other organizations). A failure rate of 10% means that 10 of every 100 women using that method of contraception will become pregnant in the first year of use. The large range for use of condoms and diaphragms is due to improper use of these devices by many people. Female condoms are also available and have a failure rate of approximately 20%.