What Is It?
Withdrawal is when a guy removes his penis from the vagina just
before he ejaculates (also called coitus interruptus or pulling
out).
How Does It Work?
Withdrawal is an attempt to keep sperm from entering the vagina
by having the guy ejaculate outside the vagina.
How Well Does It Work?
Over the course of 1 year, about 27 out of 100 typical couples
who rely on withdrawal to prevent pregnancy will have an accidental
pregnancy. Of course, this is an average figure and the chance of
getting pregnant depends on whether you use this method correctly
and every time you have sex.
Even for people who think they are doing it correctly,
withdrawal is
not an effective
way
to prevent pregnancy. Guys leak a bit of sperm out of the penis
even before ejaculation, which means that even if a guy pulls out
before he ejaculates, a girl can still become pregnant. Also, if a
guy ejaculates close to the outside of the vagina, the sperm can
swim up into the vagina. However, withdrawal is considered a better
method of contraception than none at all.
Protection Against STDs
Withdrawal
does not
protect against
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
. For those having sex,
condoms
must
always
be used to protect against STDs.
Abstinence (not having sex) is the only method that always
prevents pregnancy and STDs.
Who Uses It?
Withdrawal is not a reliable way to prevent pregnancy and is
considered the least-effective method of birth control. Most guys
have a difficult time knowing exactly when they should withdraw the
penis or don't have the willpower to pull out while they are
having sex. And even if a guy does pull out, some sperm leak out of
the penis before ejaculation, which can still get a girl
pregnant.
Reviewed by:
Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: February 2007
Originally reviewed by:
Neil Izenberg, MD, and George A. Macones, MD
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995-2009 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. All rights reserved.