How effective your contraception is depends on the type you use and whether you use it correctly. Some methods are more effective than others. You need to follow the instructions and use your contraception correctly for it to be as effective as possible. With some methods, such as the implant, there's no need to remember to take or use them. These are known as methods with "no user
failure". No contraceptive is 100% reliable, and some can have side effects. Find out about all the methods available so you can decide which contraceptive is right for you. Perfect use or typical useAll the methods are listed here, showing how effective they are with "perfect use". This is when the method is always used correctly. Some methods are less effective with "typical use". This is when the method is not always used correctly – for example, missing a pill or getting the injection later than you need to. Some methods do not have typical use rates because they have no user failure. Contraception is less effective at preventing pregnancy if not used correctly. Long-active reversible contraceptive (LARC) methodsYou do not have to remember to take or use these methods. They have no user failure, so are not less effective with typical use.
Contraceptive injectionContraceptive injection
The injection lasts for 8 or 13 weeks, depending on the type. Patch and ringContraceptive patch
Vaginal ring
Contraceptive pillCombined contraceptive pill
Progestogen-only pill
Sterilisation (permanent contraception)
Male and female condomsMale condoms
Female condoms
Diaphragms and capsDiaphragms and caps
Natural family planningNatural family planning
Page last reviewed: 17 April 2020 Does taking 2 birth control pills prevent pregnancy?Birth control pills are really good at preventing pregnancy — but only if you use them correctly. That means taking 1 pill every day. There's no extra protection if you double-up on pills after sex, and it's not a good idea because it can make the rest of your pill pack confusing.
Can taking 3 birth control pills stop pregnancy?But if you can't get Plan B, it is possible to prevent pregnancy by taking multiple birth control pills at once, which–when taken at the correct dosage–approximates the 1mg of levonorgestrel recommended for emergency contraception.
How many birth control pills do I take for emergency contraception?If you want to use birth control pills for emergency contraception, you must take 2 doses 12 hours apart.
How much does the pill prevent pregnancy?Contraceptive pill
Fewer than 1 in 100 women will get pregnant in a year when using the combined pill correctly. Typical use: around 91% effective. Around 9 in 100 women using the combined pill will get pregnant in a year.
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