PocketGuide: Counseling

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PocketGuide for Family Planning Service Providers

Counseling

Table 1. Method Characteristics

METHOD	PREGNANCY RATES^a (Typical Use)	WHEN TO START^b (Days of the menstrual cycle)
Vasectomy	0.1–0.15	Not related to menstrual cycle
Tubal Occlusion	0.2–0.4^c	Days 6–13
Implants	0.2–1	Days 1–7
CICs	0.1–0.4	Days 1–7
PICs	0.3–1	Days 1–7
IUDs (copper- and hormone-releasing)	0.5–1	Days 1–7
POPs	0.5–10	Day 1
COCs	1–8	Days 1–7
LAM	1–2^d	Postpartum with breastfeeding
Condoms	2–12	Anytime (must be used with each act of intercourse)
Spermicides	3–21	Anytime (must be used with each act of intercourse)
Withdrawal (Coitus Interruptus)	4–18	Anytime (must be used with each act of intercourse)
Diaphragms with Spermicides	6–18	Anytime (must be used with each act of intercourse)
NFP	9–20	Once client is trained in use of the method

^a Range of pregnancy rates per 100 women during first year of use.
^b All methods can be started anytime you can be reasonably sure the client is not pregnant.
^c Recent data suggest that failure rates at 5 and 10 years are higher depending on the woman’s age at the time of the procedure and the method of sterilization used.
^d If fully breastfeeding, no vaginal bleeding and infant less than 6 months old. Adapted from: Labbok, Cooney and Coly 1994; Trussel 1990; WHO 1993.

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Last Updated: 09 Jul 2003

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