In fact, up until recently, the little information I knew about birth control had steered me away from it entirely. But, as I have learned more, I have become increasingly aware of the casual misinformation that permeates every casual conversation about birth control and contraceptives. Hormonal birth control prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg via one of a variety of available hormonal combinations. Studies that account for missed or forgotten pills tell us that hormonal birth control is about 93% effective. In comparison, the practical effectiveness rates of other birth control methods are lower: such as the cervical cap after giving birth (71%), the pull-out method (78%), the birth control sponge after giving birth (78%), internal condoms (79%), spermicide (79%), the diaphragm (83%), the birth control sponge before giving birth (86%), the cervical cap before giving birth (86%), external condoms (87%), the vaginal ring (93%), the birth control patch (93%), and the birth control shot (96%).

Source: The Guardian January 22, 2026 02:20 UTC