Contraceptives play a crucial role in family planning, helping millions of individuals and couples make informed decisions about their reproductive health. But understanding exactly how different contraceptive methods impact pregnancy chances can be challenging. This is why we developed the Pregnancy Chance Calculator—to give you a reliable way to estimate your chances of pregnancy based on your contraceptive use.
However, there’s more to understanding contraception than what can fit into a calculator. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Dr. Emily Harper, a reproductive health expert, to dive deeper into the science of contraception and fertility.
How Contraceptives Impact Your Fertility: An Overview
Barrier Methods (Condoms, Diaphragms, etc.)
Barrier methods like condoms are popular because of their accessibility and effectiveness when used correctly. However, the real-world effectiveness of these methods can vary, especially with inconsistent use. Understanding how factors like age and frequency of intercourse affect these methods is crucial for making informed choices.
Hormonal Methods (Pills, Implants, Patches, etc.)
Hormonal contraceptives, such as birth control pills, implants, and patches, alter your body’s natural hormonal cycles to prevent pregnancy. These methods are highly effective with perfect use, but things like missing a pill or delayed replacements can increase the risk of pregnancy.
Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (IUDs, Implants)
Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) like IUDs and contraceptive implants are among the most effective forms of birth control. They’re often recommended for their convenience and reliability, but there are myths about how long they truly remain effective. We’ll explore some of the latest research, including how the lifespan of Implanon may be longer than commonly thought.
Fertility Awareness and Withdrawal Methods
Natural methods, such as the pullout method or fertility awareness, require a deeper understanding of your body and cycles. While these methods may not be as reliable as other forms of contraception, recent research offers insights into how they can be optimized for effectiveness.
Combining Contraceptive Methods
Using more than one contraceptive is a very effective way to decrease pregnancy odds. However, some combinations are a lot better than others, and some can actually increase pregnancy odds. If you’re curious about how combining contraceptive methods can increase contraceptive effectiveness, check out our Combined Contraceptive Methods Calculator; if you want to estimate how these combination effect you personally, try out our Advanced Pregnancy Chance Calculator, which now has multiple contraceptive inputs. All of our calculators are based on peer reviewed research.
Check Out Our Latest Contraceptives and Fertility Posts
- How Use Quality Impacts Contraceptive Effectiveness
When choosing birth control, it’s easy to focus solely on the method—but how you use it matters just as much. Whether it’s the pill, condoms, or an IUD, the difference between perfect and typical use can significantly change your chances of avoiding pregnancy. In this guide, we explain how use quality affects contraceptive effectiveness, and … Read more - Contraceptive Methods You Should Never MixWhen it comes to birth control, combining two different contraceptive methods can often be beneficial, helping you achieve a nearly fail-proof level of protection. However, not all methods play well together. Certain pairs can lead to reduced effectiveness, unwanted side effects, or even health risks. 1. Mixing Certain Hormonal Methods 2. Using Two Barrier Methods … Read more
- How Effective is Using Two Contraceptives at Once?Use our Combined Contraceptive Effectiveness Calculator below to see how pairing two birth control methods can boost your protection level. Input your chosen methods and whether you use them perfectly or typically to instantly view your enhanced effectiveness percentage. Want Your Personal Odds? Try Our Advanced Calculator Our Related Calculators One Time Pregnancy Calculator Quickly … Read more
- Top Contraceptive Method Combinations for Maximum ProtectionSometimes, one contraceptive method just isn’t enough—especially if you want that extra layer of security. Pairing two compatible methods can give you near-fool proof protection against unintended pregnancy and help address any potential mistakes or inconsistencies. Below, we’ll explore the best contraceptive method combinations and how they work together to give you peace of mind. … Read more
- Calculate Your Pregnancy Chances on the PillWe’ve all heard the phrase “the pill is only 99% effective“, but what does that mean? Over what time period? And at what age? Believe it or not, the time period is actually one whole year… but trust me, it gets more complicated than that… That’s why we made the free pregnancy chance on The … Read more
- Understanding Your Pregnancy Risk with Our Condom CalculatorWhen it comes to contraception, condoms are THE most popular and accessible method available. You’ve likely heard that condoms are “98% effective,” but what does this statistic actually mean? 98% effective for how many occasions? And at what age? Understanding the effectiveness of condoms can help you make informed decisions about your sexual health. To … Read more
- Implanon Effective Much Longer Than Doctors Say—Study Reveals the TruthImplanon, also known as “the rod” or a “the contraceptive implant,” is a widely used form of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). It is typically recommended for removal or replacement after three years, but recent peer-reviewed studies suggest that Implanon’s effectiveness may extend beyond this period. Understanding the longevity and effectiveness of Implanon is crucial for … Read more
- Can You Rely on the Pullout Method? New Research Says Yes – With the 5 Hour RuleThe pullout method, also known as withdrawal, is a contraceptive practice where the male partner withdraws his penis from the vagina before ejaculation to prevent sperm from entering the female reproductive tract. While pullout method effectiveness is less reliable than other forms of contraception, new research sheds light on how to make it more effective … Read more
Frequently Asked Questions
Does hormonal birth control affect fertility long-term?
No, there is no evidence that hormonal contraceptives like the pill, patch, or implant negatively impact long-term fertility. However, it may take a few months for your cycle to return to normal after stopping these methods.
What is the most effective contraceptive method?
Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) such as IUDs and implants are considered the most effective methods, with a failure rate of less than 1% with typical use.
Can I get pregnant while using a contraceptive implant like Implanon?
Implanon is highly effective, with a failure rate of less than 1% over three years. However, recent research suggests it may be effective beyond the recommended three years.
How effective is the pullout method?
With typical use, the pullout method has a failure rate of about 20%. However, new research suggests that using the 5 Hour Rule can improve its effectiveness.
Does the full moon really affect fertility?
While some believe in the influence of lunar cycles on fertility, scientific research has not found any concrete evidence to support this theory.