++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The following is from a variety of
studies and research, as reported in
Contraceptive Technology 1984-1985
R. Hatcher, F. Guest, F. Stewart,
G. Stewart, J. Trussel, and E. Frank
Irving Pub. Inc. 551 Fifth Ave.
New York, New York  10017
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

       PREVENTING PREGNANCY
Birth Control Method Failure Rates
----------------------------------

The "Failure Rates" are expressed in percents, or the #s of pregnancies which
will occur in a group of 100 women.

You will see a difference between the "Typical Failure Rate" and the "Lowest
Observed Failure Rate".  In Some cases the latter is the theoretical best for
a given method.


METHOD               FAILURE RATE FOR             LOWEST OBSERVED
                     TYPICAL USERS                FAILURE RATE
------------------------------------------------------------------

CHANCE (no method)           90                          90
TUBAL LIGATION                0.04                        0.04
VASECTOMY                     0.15                        0.15
COMBINED HORMONE PILLS        2                           0.5
PROGESTIN-ONLY PILLS          2.5                         1
I.U.D.                        5                           1.5
CONDOM                       10                           2
DIAPHRAM (with spermicide)   19                           2
SPONGE (with spermicide)     10-20                   (inadequate data)
FOAMS, CREAMS, JELLIES and
   VAGINAL SUPPOSITORIES     18                           3-5
COITUS INTERRUPTUS
   (withdrawal)              23                          16
FERTILITY AWARENESS
   ("Natural Methods")       24                          2-20
DOUCHE                       40                       (no data)