What time-frame are 99.9% effective birth control pills referring to?

Question

The question probably sounds confusing, but hey, you clicked anyway! Thanks :P

Here's what I mean:
Does 99.9% mean that every time people have sex, there is only .1% chance of getting pregnant?

- OR -

Does 99.9% mean that only 1% of people get pregnant the entire time they use the pill?

Thanks for your time!

Answer 1

Time frame for research is 6 months to 1 year. Hormonal birth control can only become more effective with time so it is fair to say 99% effective for the entire time the pill is used, not for each time you have intercourse, if used properly.

Answer 2

Okay... you're right, that is a confusing question! But it's a good one. I am pretty sure that it refers to any sexual activity that takes place while using the pill so...your 2nd option.

I looked it up and learned that a method called the Pearl Index is used to compare the effectiveness of various methods of contraception. It is expressed as the "number of pregnancies in 100 normally fertile women over the period of one year".

Under *perfect* conditions (never forgetting a pill, no hormonal issues, etc), the Pearl Index for birth control pills has been measured to be from 0.3 to 1.25. This means that under ideal conditions, anywhere from 0.3 to 1.25 out of 100 users will become pregnant during one year of perfect use.

However, perfect conditions are not that common so the typical user effectiveness has been measured as low as 2.15 and as high as 8.0, which means that anywhere from 2.15 to 8.0 out of 100 women will become pregnant during the first year of typical use.

I know this is way more info than you asked for, but I hope I helped answer your question! lol

Answer 3

It means that when used as directed, you are protected from pregnancy 99.9% of the time. In .1% of cases, pregnancy will occur even with proper use.

Answer 4

birth control pills are statistically ninety 9% useful. they quite can ward off being pregnant, in the different case females doesn't use all of them the time. once you're one hundred% adverse to starting to be pregnant, the only one hundred% useful thanks to no longer get pregnant is to abstain from sex. once you're keen to address the lower than a million% probability of fixing into pregnant, birth control pills are commonly an truly secure route to take. ideal needs!

Answer 5

It means that everytime that everytime you have sex using only this preventitive method that there is a .1% chance of the female getting pregnant. In order to reduce even this small statistic you have to use other prevention methods such a condoms and uva rings.

Answer 6

You look like a man
how can you get pregnant

Answer 7

i belive its 97% but each brand of pill its different
the comdum its also 97%