The Pearl Index is the standard method for comparison of effectiveness. This measures the number of pregnancies that occur for each contraceptive method if used by 100 women for one year. Long-term users of a method probably have lower pregnancy rates than indicated by thePearl rate because those who have failures are likely to change method. Furthermore failures are more likely in younger women who may be more fertile and more sexually active. This explains why there is a range of quoted Pearl rates for each contraceptive method.
Table 13.1 Pearl Index - Pregnancy rates per 100 couples in first year of use.
|
METHOD |
PEARL RATE (Failures / 100 women years) |
Question Number |
|
None (young women) |
80 - 90 |
|
|
None (age 40) |
40 - 50 |
|
|
None (age 45) |
10 - 20 |
|
|
None (age 50) |
0 - 20 |
|
|
Contraceptive sponge |
9 - 25 |
|
|
Rhythm methods |
6 - 25 |
|
|
Spermicide only |
4 - 25 |
|
|
Coitus interruptus |
8 - 17 |
|
|
Persona |
3 - 6 |
|
|
Male condom (sheath) |
2 - 15 |
|
|
Female condom |
5 - 15 |
|
|
Diaphragm |
4 - 20 |
|
|
IUCD (Coil) |
0.2 - 2 |
|
|
Levonorgestrel intrauterine system |
Less than 0.5 |
|
|
Progestogen only pill |
0.3 - 4 |
|
|
Combined pill |
0.1 - 3 |
|
|
Subcutaneous implants |
0 0.1 |
|
|
Depo-Provera (injection) |
0 - 1 |
|
|
Sterilisation - Female |
0 0.5 |
|
|
- Male |
0 0.05 |
Please click on the required question.
- 1 How important is effective contraception for the world's population?
- 2 How long can my partner's sperm survive in me?
- 3 How long are my eggs capable of fertilisation?
- 4 How long does my fertile phase last?
- 5 What is an ideal contraceptive?
- 6 How can the effectiveness of a contraceptive method be measured?
- 7 Can knowledge of the fertile phase be used for effective contraception?
- 8 I am breast-feeding my baby. Do I need contraception?
- 9 How effective is coitus interruptus?
- 10 How effective are condoms (sheaths)
- 11 What are the advantages and disadvantages of condoms?
- 12 How long have vaginal methods of contraception been available?
- 13 How can I get a diaphragm (cap)
- 14 How can the cap be checked?
- 15 How effective are diaphragms and caps?
- 16 What are the advantages and disadvantages of vaginal methods?
- 17 What is the contraceptive sponge?
- 18 How effective is the contraceptive sponge?
- 19 What is the female condom?
- 20 What are the advantages and disadvantages of female condoms?
- 21 How effective are spermicides?
- 22 What are the advantages and disadvantages of spermicides?
- 23 Which contraceptives are appropriate for an adolescent?
- 24 Which contraceptives are appropriate for a woman in her forties?
- 25 If I am taking the combined oral contraceptive pill or cyclical HRT, how can I tell when I have reached my menopause?
- 26 How effective is the Persona Unipath Personal Contraceptive System?
- 27 Where can I obtain further information about contraception?
- 28 Support Groups.
Thank you for choosing to visit us.
This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.
