Video Transcript
The table provided shows data on
the effectiveness of different contraceptives, when used correctly, as stated by the
NHS in 2018. Which of the following statements
is correct about the data? (A) The effectiveness of a condom
in preventing pregnancies is greater than that of a combined pill. (B) The effectiveness of a
diaphragm in preventing pregnancies is less than that of a combined pill. (C) The effectiveness of a
diaphragm in preventing pregnancies is greater than that of a condom. (D) The effectiveness of an IUD in
preventing pregnancies is equal to that of a diaphragm.
This question provides different
forms of contraceptives, which are used to prevent fertilization and pregnancy. You’ll recall that fertilization is
the process where a sperm cell combines with an egg. The resulting embryo that develops
can implant in the uterus to form a pregnancy.
There are many different forms of
contraceptives, though some are more effective than others. Effectiveness, in terms of
contraception, is how successful the method of contraception is at preventing
pregnancy. It is usually expressed as a
percentage and represents the percent of women who will not become unexpectedly
pregnant when using a particular method of contraception.
So if we look at the provided
table, the most effective methods are the intrauterine device, or IUD, and the
combined pill. Both of these are hormonal methods
of contraception, which means that they use hormones to disrupt the menstrual cycle
in women. These methods prevent the release
of an egg from the ovaries or thicken the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from
passing into the uterus. Both have greater than 99 percent
effectiveness, meaning over 99 percent of women who use these methods will not have
an unexpected pregnancy.
After these two methods, the next
most effective method of contraception is the male condom at 98 percent
effective. This is called a barrier method of
contraception since the condom provides a physical barrier between the semen, which
contains the sperm, and the female reproductive tract. Barrier methods are also useful
because they prevent sexually transmitted infections that are caused by the exchange
of bodily fluids.
The least effective method of
contraception in our table is called a diaphragm. Only 92 percent of women using this
method of contraception will not become pregnant. Like a condom, the diaphragm is an
example of a barrier method of contraception. It is a small dome that fits over
the cervix to prevent sperm from entering the uterus.
Now that we’ve reviewed each of
these methods and how effective they are in preventing unexpected pregnancies, we
can answer our question. The only correct statement is given
by answer choice (B). The effectiveness of a diaphragm in
preventing pregnancies is less than that of a combined pill.
