1. IndicationsProgestin-only oral contraceptives are indicated for the
prevention of pregnancy.2. EfficacyIf used perfectly, the first-year failure rate for progestin-only
oral contraceptives is 0.5%. However, the typical failure rate is estimated to
be closer to 5%, due to late or omitted pills. Table 1 lists the pregnancy rates
for users of all major methods of contraception.Table 1: Percentage of Women Experiencing an Unintended Pregnancy
During the First Year of Typical Use and the First Year of Perfect Use of
Contraception and the Percentage Continuing Use at the End of the First Year.
United States.% of Women Experiencing anUnintended Pregnancy
within theFirst Year of Use% of WomenContinuing Use atOne Year*Method(1)Typical Use †(2)Perfect Use‡(3)(4)Chance#8585SpermicidesÞ26640Periodic abstinence2563 Calendar9 Ovulation Method3 Sympto-Thermalß2 Post-Ovulation1Capà Parous Women402642 Nulliparous Women20956Sponge Parous Women402042 Nulliparous Women20956Diaphragmà20656Withdrawal194Condomè Female (Reality®)21556 Male14361Pill571 Progestin Only0.5 Combined0.1IUD Progesterone T2.01.581 Copper T380A0.80.678 LNg 200.10.181Depo-Provera®0.30.370Norplant® and Norplant-2®0.050.0588Female Sterilization0.50.5100Male Sterilization0.150.10100Adapted from Hatcher et al, 1998, Ref. # 1.§ Emergency Contraceptive Pills: Treatment initiated within 72 hours after
unprotected intercourse reduces the risk of pregnancy by at least 75%.¶Lactational Amenorrhea Method: LAM is highly effective, temporary method of
contraception.Source: Trussell J, Contraceptive efficacy. In Hatcher RA, Trussell J, Stewart
F, Cates W, Stewart GK, Kowal D, Guest F, Contraceptive Technology: Seventeenth
Revised Edition. New York NY: Irvington Publishers, 1998.*Among couples attempting to avoid pregnancy, the percentage who continue to
use a method for one year†Among typical couples who initiate use of a
method (not necessarily for the first time), the percentage who experience an
accidental pregnancy during the first year if they do not stop use for any other
reason. ‡Among couples who initiate use of a method (not necessarily for the first
time) and who use it perfectly (both consistently and
correctly), the percentage who experience an accidental pregnancy during the
first year if they do not stop use for any other reason.§The treatment schedule is one dose within 72 hours after unprotected
intercourse, and a second dose 12 hours after the first dose. The Food and Drug
Administration has declared the following brands of oral contraceptives to be
safe and effective for emergency contraception: Ovral® (1 dose is 2 white
pills), Alesse® (1 dose is 5 pink pills), Nordette® or Levlen® (1 dose is 2
light-orange pills), Lo/Ovral® (1 dose is 4 white pills), Triphasil® or
Tri-Levlen® (1 dose is 4 yellow pills).¶However, to maintain effective protection against pregnancy, another method
of contraception must be used as soon as menstruation resumes, the frequency or
duration of breastfeeds is reduced, bottle feeds are introduced, or the baby
reaches six months of age.#The percents becoming pregnant in columns (2) and (3) are based on data from
populations where contraception is not used and from women who cease using
contraception in order to become pregnant. Among such populations, about 89%
become pregnant within one year. This estimate was lowered slightly (to 85%) to
represent the percent who would become pregnant within one year among women now
relying on reversible methods of contraception if they abandoned contraception
altogether.ÞFoams, creams, gels, vaginal suppositories, and vaginal film.ßCervical mucus (ovulation) method supplemented by calendar in the
pre-ovulatory and basal body temperature in the post-ovulatory phases.àWith spermicidal cream or jelly.èWithout spermicides.ORTHO MICRONOR® Tablets have not
been studied for and are not indicated for use in emergency
contraception.