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

• A 0.1 per 100 woman-years
• B 3 per 100 woman-years
• C 8 per 100 woman-years
• D 0.3 per 100 woman-years ✓

Explanation

The Pearl Index (failure rate per 100 woman-years) for COCPs with perfect use is approximately 0.3, meaning only 3 pregnancies per 1000 women using COCPs correctly for 1 year. Typical use failure rate rises to approximately 7–9 per 100 woman-years due to missed pills and inconsistent use. Condoms have a perfect-use Pearl Index of approximately 2 and typical-use rate of approximately 15. The 0.1 figure corresponds to levonorgestrel IUD (Mirena) or implants.

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.