Table 2:
Method & Typical Use Efficacy** |
Reported Serious Side Effects |
Reported Less Serious Side Effects*** |
---|---|---|
Combined Hormonal Contraceptive Pill (aka “the pill”) 8% failure |
• Blood clots in deep veins of legs or lungs • Heart attack • Increased blood pressure • Stroke |
• Acne (increased and/or reduced) • Breast tenderness • Change in bleeding patterns, including no bleeding, lighter bleeding, and breakthrough bleeding • Dizziness • Headache • Mood changes • Nausea • Weight change |
Contraceptive Patch 8% failure |
• Blood clots in deep veins of legs or lungs • Heart attack • Increased blood pressure • Stroke |
• Abdominal pain • Breast tenderness and pain • Change in bleeding patterns, including no bleeding, lighter bleeding, prolonged bleeding, and breakthrough bleeding • Flu symptoms/upper respiratory infection • Headache • Irritation, redness, or inflammation of the vagina • Nausea • Skin irritation at placement site • Vomiting |
Contraceptive Ring 8% failure |
• Blood clots in deep veins of legs or lungs • Heart attack • Increased blood pressure • Stroke |
• Change in bleeding patterns, including no bleeding, lighter bleeding, prolonged bleeding, and breakthrough bleeding • Headache • Irritation, redness, or inflammation of the vagina • White vaginal discharge |
Contraceptive Implant 0.05% failure |
No known serious side effects |
• Abdominal pain • Acne • Breast tenderness • Bruising, pain, and/or infection at insertion site • Change in bleeding patterns, including no bleeding, lighter bleeding, prolonged bleeding, and breakthrough bleeding • Dizziness • Headache • Mood changes • Nausea • Reduced acne • Weight change |
Contraceptive Injection (“the shot”) 3% failure |
No known serious side effects |
• Abdominal bloating and discomfort • Change in bleeding patterns, including no bleeding, lighter bleeding, prolonged bleeding, and breakthrough bleeding • Dizziness • Headache • Loss of bone density • Mood changes • Reduced sex drive • Weight gain |
Mirena IUD 0.1% failure |
• Uterine Perforation |
• Acne • Breast tenderness or pain • Change in bleeding patterns, including no bleeding, lighter bleeding, prolonged bleeding, and breakthrough bleeding • Dizziness • Headache • Mood changes • Nausea • Weight gain |
Paragard IUD 0.8% failure |
• May contribute to anemia • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) • Uterine Perforation |
• Change in bleeding patterns, including prolonged bleeding, heavy bleeding, and breakthrough bleeding • More cramps and pain during monthly bleeding |
Progestin-Only Pill 8% failure |
No known serious side effects |
• Abdominal pain • Breast tenderness • Change in bleeding patterns, including no bleeding, lighter bleeding, prolonged bleeding, and breakthrough bleeding • Dizziness • Headache • Mood changes • Nausea |
Compiled from Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers (2011)
Typical use efficacy based on Trussell’s (2004) estimates of percentage of women who will experience an unintended pregnancy during one year of typical use of a method. Typical use estimates are generally lower than “perfect” use, which entails correct and consistent use of a method.
Less serious side effects are included regardless of whether they may be perceived as positive, negative, or neutral.