Sexuality Stack Exchange Archive

Is withdrawal effective at avoiding pregnancy?

• posted by: Shevliaskovic on 2015-07-28
• tagged: birth-control, contraception, coitus-interruptus
• score: 5

Many people nowadays have unprotected coitus. Many people have told me that the pull-out method (a.k.a. withdrawal) is a good method to prevent pregnancy.

But, I have my doubts. How reliable is the aforementioned method, as far as pregnancy is concerned?

Answer 68

• posted by: Shadow Wizard on 2015-07-28
• score: 13

Not good.

The pre-ejaculate may arrive well before the orgasm, sometimes at the very beginning of intercourse, and this can fertilise an egg, as this semi-scientific source also claims.

Answer 106

• posted by: GdD on 2015-07-29
• score: 7

Pulling out decreases the likelihood of pregnancy somewhat, as a woman is more likely to get pregnant if a man ejaculates fully inside her, however:

1. Semen can come out before ejaculation, known as pre-ejaculate (aka pre-cum). This can lead to pregnancy
2. A man can lose control when close to orgasm, and forget to pull out

So use a condom, it’s much more reliable than pulling out and it will protect you against STD’s too.

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