You might expect teenagers to become pregnant without planning on it, but did you know that many women in their 20’s and 30’s also have unintended pregnancies—while using contraception? It’s hard to believe, but every year more than 1 million American women get pregnant while using birth control. In our last blog entry, we listed contraception methods and their effective rates, and you may have noticed that most methods fall in the 94%-99% effective range. So how are so many women on birth control getting pregnant?
The answer is usually human error. Many women either use their birth control incorrectly or they use it inconsistently.
The good news is that you are in control and can minimize your risk of having an unplanned pregnancy while on birth control. The table below shows the biggest mistakes to watch out for and tips to maximize effectiveness.
Contraception Method | Biggest Mistakes | How to Maximize Effectiveness |
The Pill |
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The Patch |
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Intrauterine Device |
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Vaginal Ring |
|
|
Subdermal Implant |
|
|
Depo-Provera |
|
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Diaphragm / Cervical Cap |
|
|
Spermicide |
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|
Condom |
|
|
Female Condom |
|
|
Male Sterilization |
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|
Female Sterilization |
|
|
Some surprises are great, but an unplanned pregnancy can be unsettling and stressful. To avoid this type of surprise, make sure you always use your contraception method correctly and consistently. Remember that mantra, and you will decrease your chances of having an unplanned pregnancy.