The failure rate of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) with perfect use (Pearl Index) is approximately:

• A 0.1 pregnancies per 100 woman-years
• B 1 pregnancy per 100 woman-years
• C 3 pregnancies per 100 woman-years
• D 0.3 pregnancies per 100 woman-years ✓

Explanation

The Pearl Index for combined OCPs with perfect use is approximately 0.3 pregnancies per 100 woman-years (or 0.3%). With typical use, the failure rate rises to about 7–9%. The Pearl Index = (Number of failures × 1200) / (Total months of exposure). Perfect use failure reflects method failure; typical use failure also includes user error.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.