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Withdrawal Method, also known as “coitus interruptus”, also known as pull-out method, is a technique in which a man withdraws his penis prior to ejaculation during intercourse. It means the semen is ejaculated outside of vagina.
This type of contraception is natural, it does not have any extra costs involved, it does not require the use of any chemicals and can be used when there is no other form of modern contraception available.
Withdrawal Method - Effectiveness
Like most methods of contraception, reliable effectiveness is achieved only by correct and consistent use. Observed failure rates of withdrawal vary depending on the population being studied: studies have found actual failure rates of 15-28% per year.
In comparison the birth control pills has an actual use failure rate of 2-8%, while the IUDs has an actual use failure rate of 0.8%. Male condoms have an actual use failure rate of 10-18%.
Withdrawal Method - Advantages
The advantage of withdrawal method is that it can be used by people who have objections to or do not have access to other forms of contraception. Some women also prefer this method over hormonal contraception to avoid adverse effects such as depression, mood swings, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, and headaches, among others. It has no direct monetary cost, requires no artificial devices, has no physical side effects, can be practiced without a prescription or medical consultation, and provides no barriers to stimulation.
Withdrawal Method - Disadvantages
Compared to the other common reversible methods of contraception such as IUDs, hormonal contraceptives and male condoms, withdrawal method is less effective at preventing pregnancy. As a result, it is also less cost-effective than many more effective modern contraception methods: although the method itself has little direct cost, users have a greater chance of incurring the risks and expenses of pregnancy and child-birth. Only models that assume all couples practice perfect use of the method find cost savings associated with the choice of withdrawal as a birth control method.
The method is largely ineffective in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, other vaginal infections, HIV because pre-ejaculation may carry viral particles or bacteria which may infect the partner if this fluid comes in contact with mucous membranes. However, a reduction in the volume of bodily fluids exchanged during intercourse may reduce the likelihood of disease transmission compared to using no method due to the smaller number of pathogens present.
Using the withdrawal method involves a lot of discipline on the man's part. A man must be familiar enough with his body to know when he is about to ejaculate in order to pull out and ejaculate somewhere away from the vagina and vulva. A couple must also have a great deal of trust between each other to use this method effectively. Additionally, many couples find the sudden interruption of sex diminishes their enjoyment of the experience.
Unfortunately, withdrawal method is the least likely to work for teens yet this is the age group that this type of birth control is most popular with. In general, the withdrawal method is not suitable for:
- Men who ejaculate prematurely
- Men who are not experienced enough to know when to pull out
- Couples that do not have a high level of trust, self-control and experience
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Teens
Important to know
Several studies, though none have been done on a large scale, have shown that there is no sperm present in pre-seminal fluid. There is one exception to this rule, however, and it accounts for the failure of the withdrawal method of contraception in some cases. Sperm can be found in pre-seminal fluid if a man has not urinated since his last ejaculation. Because of this it is possible for pregnancy to occur even if a man has "pulled out" before ejaculation begins.
The urine flushes out any seminal fluid that is left in the urethra. It is very important for couples who use the withdrawal method as a form of birth control that the male partner urinates before having intercourse again. Also important is washing any area that may have been in contact with seminal fluid before that area comes in contact with the vulva or vagina.
In couples who use the withdrawal method of contraception perfectly, the failure rate is only 4%. The timing of withdrawal is critical and sometimes the withdrawal method of contraception may fail because the male partner waits too late to pull out. Withdrawal must occur before the male orgasm begins. Ejaculation can begin with the first contraction of the male orgasm. Waiting to withdraw until the orgasm has begun may cause an unintended pregnancy.
It is important that couples relying on the withdrawal method be free of any sexually transmitted diseases, be in a monogamous relationship and both partners should be feel able to trust that the male partner has enough will power to practice withdrawal and knows his body well enough to know when to pull out.
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