When used according to the directions, condoms are more effective than the pill (99.something% vs. 98%). In "typical usage", the pill is more effective than condoms (93% vs. 80%).
That always struck me as weird until I learned that 25% of "typical" condom users occasionally don't use a condom, at all. The sorts of "I used a condom but I didn't put it on right"/"it was expired and failed" issues I was imagining only account for about 1% lost effectiveness.
Similarly, most of the pills lost effectiveness is due to not taking the pill every day. It's hard to fathom, but it seems most birth control methods are more effective when you use them consistently.
When used according to the directions, condoms are more effective than the pill (99.something% vs. 98%). In "typical usage", the pill is more effective than condoms (93% vs. 80%).
That always struck me as weird until I learned that 25% of "typical" condom users occasionally don't use a condom, at all. The sorts of "I used a condom but I didn't put it on right"/"it was expired and failed" issues I was imagining only account for about 1% lost effectiveness.
Similarly, most of the pills lost effectiveness is due to not taking the pill every day. It's hard to fathom, but it seems most birth control methods are more effective when you use them consistently.