Contraception is not the same as contraception. There are countless methods. How safe a contraceptive is, the Pearl Index tells you. Learn here how this is determined and what he tells you about the respective method of contraception.
What does the Pearl Index say?
The Pearl Index is a value developed by the American biologist Raymond Pearl, which indicates how many women have become pregnant over the course of a year using a particular contraceptive.
An example:
One hundred women used a special contraceptive method for one year, during which time 2 of these 100 women became pregnant. Then the Pearl index is calculated from the total number of pregnancies times 13 cycles times 100. This number is divided by the number of months times the number of users (ie again 100). This results in a Pearl index of 2.2.
Thus, when the Pearl Index is at 0, the method of contraception is the safest, and the closer it gets to the 100, the more likely it is to get pregnant. Most contraceptives range from 0.05 to 20. However, the information that can be found for a particular method within the literature or manufacturer’s instructions may vary. Because some only indicate the method security and neglect certain application errors. A contraceptive is only safe if it has been taken under the same conditions or can be effective. This can lead to large deviations that distort the value.
Can you trust the Pearl Index?
According to the Pearl Index, the pill is considered one of the safest contraceptives. With a value of 0.2 to 0.5, the probability of becoming pregnant despite taking it is extremely low. Again, this only applies under secure and always identical income conditions. If you forget to take it or if vomiting or vomiting is due to diarrhea or nausea and the effect is interrupted, this safety can no longer be guaranteed. Similarly, the condom is considered to be less safe with a relatively high value of 2 to a maximum of 12. A condom can provide safe contraception if the condom is worn and used properly . However, due to application errors or a crack, it can still happen, the sperm escapes. By the way, you can toobecome pregnant with pleasure drops !
This is the safest contraceptive method according to Pearl Index
In our picture gallery we present the top 11 of the safest methods of contraception according to the Pearl Index. So you can decide what suits you.
These types of contraceptives exist
There are five different types of contraceptive methods, all of which have a very different Pearl index. Not every one of them is suitable for you. You should be well advised by a gynecologist about risks and side effects and discuss with him your birth control. In particular, hormonal contraceptives in Germany are only available by prescription. This requires a conversation and an examination.
Thus, the contraceptives differ in application and safety:
- Hormonal contraceptives (very safe):
Hormonal contraceptives such as the pill, the three-month syringe , the contraceptive ring or the contraceptive patch are the safest methods if used correctly and are effective. The hormones intervene in the female cycle and inhibit ovulation or make it difficult for the sperm to penetrate. However, if you regularly take hormones, you may also have side effects. Especially the pill has numerous side effects , which are often unknown. - Mechanical contraceptives (safe to very safe):
Those who want to bypass the hormone intake, should resort to contraceptives, which form a barrier between sperm and egg. In addition to the most well-known method, the condom, these include the copper spiral , the diaphragm , the cervical cap, or the Lea contraceptive. - Chemical contraceptives (safe):
These are what are referred to as spermicides (suppositories, gels or ointments) which are introduced into the vagina shortly before sex and inhibit and / or kill the sperm. However, with a relatively high Pearl index of 3 to 20, this means that they are only partially safe and should be used in combination with a mechanical contraceptive. - surgical contraceptive methods (very safe): This contraception is an enormous intervention in your life planning, because it is the sterilization of man or woman, in which you can later no longer have children or witness.
- the natural family planning (insecure): If a pregnancy would not be the end of the world for you, then you can naturally prevent it. These include coitus interruptus , the contraceptive computer , the temperature or billings method and the symptothermal method . Only the latter variant is considered to be relatively safe when used correctly.