
The contraceptive failure rate
Contraceptive failure rate refers to the percentage of people who become pregnant within the first year of using a particular birth control method, assuming perfect use. For example, if a method has a 1% failure rate, about 1 out of 100 people using it perfectly for a year may still get pregnant. Actual failure rates can be higher with typical use due to errors or inconsistent use. It helps compare the effectiveness of different methods, guiding individuals to choose the most suitable option based on their needs and willingness to use the method consistently.