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Originally posted by baltassoc
An interesting analysis, but based on flawed assumptions.

The failure rate statistics are for number of women per 100 using a type of birth control who become pregnant per year. Recently, such statistics are generally cited in pairs for each type of birth control: "real world" usage and optimal usage. For birth control types that require continual maintenance (the pill) or successful application each time (condoms, diaphrams, etc.) the real world failure rate is significantly higher. For more or less permenant forms (Norplant, IUD, snip) the failure rate is virtually identical.

The failure rate of the pill in ideal circumstances is indeed somewhere in the 1-2 per thousand range. Practically, however, it is more in the 50-80 per thousand, due to forgotten pills. The only forms that get to real world 1-2 per thousand are Norplant and IUDs (even snipping is less reliable).

How do I know all this crap? The baltspouse has been looking at alternatives to the pill, and all the literature she brought home from the GYN has these statistics in it.

What about tying? By snipping I'm assuming you mean vasectomy.