Contraception Comparison Tool
Compare 14 birth control methods against your priorities. Free, private and instant.
How to use the Contraception Comparison
- Choose are you happy to use hormonal methods?: Yes or No, hormone-free only.
- Choose do you need protection from STIs (new or casual partners)?: No or Yes.
- Choose do you want children in the future?: Yes, within a year or two, Yes, later or No, I am sure.
- Choose how much effort do you want?: Set it and forget it (rarely think about it), Happy with weekly or monthly routine or I can take a daily pill or use each time.
- Choose do any of these apply?: None of these, Smoker over 35, migraine with aura, high blood pressure, past blood clot, or breastfeeding under 6 weeks or Breastfeeding under 6 months.
- Press Calculate to get an instant result with a colour scale, chart and plain-English explanation.
About the Contraception Comparison
Answer five short questions and see 14 contraceptive methods ranked for your needs, with typical-use failure rates, whether they contain hormones, how much effort they need and whether they protect against STIs.
Also known as: birth control comparison, contraceptive effectiveness chart, compare contraception methods, best birth control for me.
Worked example
- Are you happy to use hormonal methods?: Yes
- Do you need protection from STIs (new or casual partners)?: No
- Do you want children in the future?: Yes, later
- How much effort do you want?: I can take a daily pill or use each time
- Do any of these apply?: None of these
Best match for your answers: Implant (Typical failure 0.05% per year). Implant scores highest for your priorities: lasts 3 to 5 years. About 0.05 in 100 users get pregnant each year with typical use.
- Best match: Implant
- Option 2: Hormonal IUD
- Option 3: Copper IUD
- Option 4: Injection (DMPA)
Formula and cut-offs
Typical-use failures per 100 users per year: implant 0.05, hormonal IUD 0.2, copper IUD 0.8, injection 4, pill/patch/ring 7, male condom 13, fertility awareness 15, withdrawal 20, female condom 21.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most effective birth control?
Implants and IUDs, with fewer than 1 pregnancy per 100 users a year, because they do not depend on daily use.
Which method protects against STIs?
Only condoms. Use one together with another method for dual protection.
Can I use the pill if I have migraine with aura?
Oestrogen-containing methods are usually avoided; progestin-only or non-hormonal options are safer. Ask a doctor.
Sources and references
- World Health Organization - Family planning/contraception methods
- NHS - Contraception guide
- CDC - Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Written and checked by the MediHub editorial team against the sources above. Read how we build and review our calculators.
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Last updated . This calculator is for education only and is not medical advice. See the medical disclaimer.