| Method | Effectiveness rate | Most common side effects, risks | Major benefits | Cost, availability |
| Cervical cap | 86 % - women who have not had children; possibly lower in women who have had children | Side effects rare; high failure rate; does not protect against STDs | Reusable; reversible | $69 and up per cap; $50-$ 200 for fitting
|
| Combination birth control pills | 92 % | Rarely causes life-threatening complications; no STD protection | Highly effective; reversible | $20-$ 50 a month; $35-$ 175 per exam
|
| Condom | 85 % Up to 95 % when used with vaginal spermicide | Latex allergies; interrupts sexual activity; may alter sensation | Proven protection against STDs, including HIV | 25 cents to $1 per condom; OTC |
| Diaphragm | 84 % | Side effects rare; interrupts sexual activity; no STD protection | Reusable; reversible; may protect against STDs | $30-$ 50 per diaphragm; $50-$ 200 for fitting
|
| Emergency contraception | 98%-99 % - Plan B pills; 99 % or higher - IUD | Nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, menstrual changes, no STD protection | Only option for post-sex birth control; highly effective | $8-$ 25 for Plan B pills; $200-$ 400 per IUD |
| Essure | 99 % or higher | Short-term procedural discomfort; not immediately effective; difficult to reverse; no STD protection | Highly effective; permanent | $1,200-$ 3,000 |
| Injection | 97 % | Irregular menstrual bleeding, mild weight gain; no STD protection | Highly effective; reversible | $60-$ 75 per shot; $35-$ 125 per exam |
| Intrauterine device (IUD) | 99 % or higher | Increased risk of pelvic infection; expensive if removed early; no STD protection | Highly effective; long-lasting; cost-effective | $200-$ 400 per device; $50-$ 200 per exam |
| Natural family planning | 87 % - calendar; 80 % - basal body temperature; 78 % - cervical mucus; 80-87 % sympto-thermal; 98 % - lactational amenorrhea; 88 % - standard days | Restricts sexual activity; requires sophisticated knowledge of reproduction; no STD protection | No side effects; immediately reversible | No cost |
| Progestin-only birth control pills | 92 % | Irregular menstrual bleeding, mild weight gain; no STD protection | Highly effective, reversible | $20-$ 35 per month; $35-$ 125 per exam |
| Shield | 85 % | Side effects rare; relatively high failure rate | Reusable; reversible | $65 per shield; $50-$ 200 for exam |
| Skin patch | 99 % | Rarely causes life-threatening complications; no STD protection | Highly effective; reversible | $30-$ 40 for a month's supply of three patches; $35-$ 175 per exam |
| Spermicides | 71 % | Nonoxynol-9 allergies; no STD protection | Easy to use; reversible | $1-$ 1.50 per use; OTC |
| Sponge | 84 % Possibly higher in women who have had children | Vaginal dryness, itching or soreness; no STD protection | Easy to use; reversible | $2.50 for a single sponge |
| Tubal ligation | 99 % or higher | Short-term procedural discomfort; potential complications from surgery; difficult to reverse; no STD protection | Highly effective; permanent | $2,500-$ 4,000 |
| Vasectomy | 99 % or higher | Occasional swelling, bruising of scrotum; rare infection; difficult to reverse; no STD protection | Highly effective; permanent | $250-$ 1,000 |
| Withdrawal | 73 % | High failure rate; no STD protection | Doesn't require any devices; always available | No cost |
