Birth Control Effectiveness Calculator

The most effective reversible methods are LARC (Long-Acting Reversible Contraception): the implant (Nexplanon) at 99.95% and hormonal IUD at 99.8%. These are 'set it and forget it' methods with virtually no difference between typical and perfect use because they don't require daily user action.

Perfect use means using the method exactly as directed every single time. Typical use reflects real-world effectiveness including human errors like missing pills, late injections, or incorrect condom application. For user-dependent methods (pills, condoms), the gap is significant; for LARC methods, it's minimal.

For most methods, fertility returns quickly: immediately for condoms and IUD/implant removal, within 1-3 months for pills/patch/ring. The exception is Depo-Provera (the shot), where it can take 3-18 months (average 10 months) for fertility to return after the last injection.