Contraception
Contraceptive Methods
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Withdrawal
In this contraceptive method, the man withdraws his penis from a woman's vagina before ejaculation. Both partners must be in agreement on this method, and must be prepared to deal with an unplanned pregnancy, which can occur in 1 out of 5 users.
Benefits
Put simply, withdrawal is better than nothing. If you rely on withdrawal as your primary method of birth control, there is a good chance of having an unplanned pregnancy. Unless you are prepared to deal with that possibility, it is highly recommended that you put off intercourse until some other form of contraception can be obtained.
Disadvantages
This method isn't very effective because there may be sperm in the pre-ejaculate, which can lead to pregnancy. It also requires a lot of self-control and practice. Studies show a failure rate of 19% in typical users. Withdrawal also offers no protection from STIs.
What to know
Talk to your partner about it first. Since withdrawal is risky and requires practice, you may want to consider using a condom and spermicide first until you're REALLY sure you have the hang of it.
Troubleshooting
The most common problem with withdrawal is that the guy pulls out too late. If that happens, contact your doctor or head for the nearest family planning clinic as soon as possible to obtain emergency contraception.
Last Modified: September 5, 2006
