Contraception

Hormonal contraception: combined options — combined hormonal contraceptive pill, vaginal ring. Progestin-only options — progestin-only pill, Mirena/Kyleena, Implanon, depot injection.

Breastfeeding: lactational amenorrhoea is as reliable as hormonal contraception in the first 6 months if fully breastfeeding and no period yet; after that it’s less reliable and contraception should be used. Use the POP while breastfeeding; the COCP can start once breastfeeding is established (first 6 weeks).

Failure rates:

Contraceptive method	Failure rate (%) during first year of use [NB2]
	Typical use	Perfect use (consistent and correct)
no method	85	85
fertility awareness-based methods	24	0.4 to 5
spermicide only	28	18
withdrawal	22	4
barrier
female
diaphragm with spermicide	12	6
condom	21	5
sponge – parous women – nulliparous women	24 12	20 9
male condom	18	2
intrauterine contraceptive device copper levonorgestrel	0.8 0.2	0.6 0.2
dermal patch	9	0.3
vaginal ring	9	0.3
oral contraception	9	0.3
injection (medroxyprogesterone acetate)	6	0.2
implant (etonogestrel)	0.05	0.05
sterilisation
female	0.5	0.5
male	0.15	0.1

From <https://tgldcdp.tg.org.au/viewTopic?topicfile=hormonal-contraception>

See also the detailed method pages: Combined Hormonal Contraception, Progestogen-Only Contraception (POP, implant, Mirena/Kyleena, Depot, copper IUD), and Emergency Contraception — all updated 2026-07-12 against current Therapeutic Guidelines, including the Mirena 8-year licence extension and current UKMEC contraindication frameworks.