Withdrawal

WITHDRAWAL

IT HAPPENS IN THE MOMENT.

A TEST OF YOUR TIMING

There's no science involved in the withdrawal method, probably because it pre-dates science as we know it. It simply involves removing the penis from the vagina before climax. It requires a lot of self-control and trust, and therefore it can be a pretty unreliable method of birth control. Not all sperm are released during ejaculation, so even if the penis is pulled out before orgasm, you could still get pregnant.

The withdrawal method involves a lot of control on the part of your partner, who must be aware of when they are reaching climax so they pull out when ejaculation can no longer be postponed. Pre-ejaculate, or 'pre-cum', contains some sperm, and as such your doctor or nurse will likely not recommend it as a method of birth control.

Withdrawal

HOW IT MEASURES UP

78% 78%

78%1
EF­FI­CACY WITH TYP­I­CAL USE

The withdrawal method is self-directed and has an enormous amount of room for human error. It is less effective than other methods of birth control.

View 'Perfect' Use Efficacy Rate

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96% 96%

EF­FI­CACY WITH PERFECT USE

The withdrawal method is self-directed and when done perfectly and in a timely manner, every time, it can be effective at preventing pregnancy. However, a perfect performance is relatively unlikely.

View 'Typical' Use Efficacy Rate

Read more

HORMONES

No. Withdrawal is hormone-free.

EASE OF USE

Withdrawal needs to be performed during intercourse, each time you have sex.

YOUR PERIOD

Withdrawal has no impact on your periods.

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FAQ Questionmark

Will washing the vagina help prevent pregnancy after the withdrawal method?

Washing or douching the vagina after sex will not reduce the risk of pregnancy. However, it is a good idea to bathe and wash any ejaculate off your body after sex.

FAQ Questionmark

Does the withdrawal method also work when I’m ovulating?

Since the efficacy of the withdrawal method is so low, and since fertility is at its highest in the few days before and after ovulation, it is not recommended to use the withdrawal method as the only method of birth control during this time.

FAQ Questionmark

Can I get pregnant even if my partner pulls out correctly?

Yes. It takes a single sperm to fertilize an egg, and some are released before orgasm. Also, sperm can survive from a few minutes to a few hours outside the body,2 and they can be transferred to the vagina by other means and still cause pregnancy.

FAQ Questionmark

How do you use the withdrawal method correctly?

To pull out correctly, your partner must withdraw their penis from the vagina prior to ejaculation, ensuring that no ejaculate makes contact with, or gets near, the vagina. Sperm are able to survive from a few minutes on skin or fabric to a few hours on a condom,2 so it is important to ensure no ejaculate makes contact with the vagina in this time. Since some sperm are released prior to orgasm, the withdrawal method is not the most reliable method of birth control because it is not easy to ensure no sperm enter the vagina.

FAQ Questionmark

Can you become pregnant from pre-ejaculation?

Yes. It is possible, as pre-ejaculation contains sperm.

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

Make an appointment with your doctor or nurse today.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

5%...3

Worldwide use withdrawal as birth control.

1
SPERM

A sperm is all it takes to fertilize an egg.

Minutes
to a few hours2

The length of time sperm can live outside the body.

PROS

  • No prescription.4
  • No cost.4
  • Hormone-free with no side effects.5
  • Self-directed – no need for a doctor or nurse.5
  • Can be an add-on to other birth control methods and raise their effectiveness.4
  • Always there.5
  • Self-directed – no need for a doctor or nurse.5
  • Can be an add-on to other birth control methods and raise their effectiveness.4
  • Always there.5

CONS

  • Not the most reliable birth control when used on its own.4
  • No protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).5
  • Trust in your partner is key.4
  • Relies on perfect timing.4
  • Even perfect timing can be imperfect – some find this difficult, and your partner may not notice pre-ejaculate that can still have some sperm.4
  • If you want to have sex again soon…some sperm may still be left behind, so your partner needs to urinate and clean the tip of the penis beforehand.4
  • Relies on perfect timing.4
  • Even perfect timing can be imperfect – some find this difficult, and your partner may not notice pre-ejaculate that can still have some sperm.4
  • If you want to have sex again soon…some sperm may still be left behind, so your partner needs to urinate and clean the tip of the penis beforehand.4

NEED MORE ADVICE?

Get ready to speak to a doctor. Use a 3-step guide to prepare for your next appointment.

START PREPARING
START PREPARING

References

  • Planned Parenthood. How effective is pulling out? https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/withdrawal-pull-out-method/how-effective-is-withdrawal-method-pulling-out#:~:text=What%20we%20do%20know%20is,or%20not%20you're%20ovulating. [Accessed October 2022]. Return to content
  • Healthy Male. Ask the Expert: How long does sperm live outside the body? https://www.healthymale.org.au/news/ask-expert-how-long-does-sperm-live-outside-body [Accessed October 2022]. Return to content
  • UN. https://www.un.org/development/desa/pd/sites/www.un.org.development.desa.pd/files/files/documents/2020/Jan/un_2019_contraceptiveusebymethod_databooklet.pdf [Accessed August 2022]. Return to content
  • American Pregnancy Association. Withdrawal Method as Birth Control. https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/withdrawal-method-as-birth-control/ [Accessed October 2022]. Return to content
  • Planned Parenthood. What are the benefits of the pull out method? https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/withdrawal-pull-out-method/what-are-the-benefits-of-withdrawal [Accessed October 2022]. Return to content

Is It Okay?

CONSIDER THIS

This approach is entirely self-directed, and requires a lot of planning and tracking. Those who wish to avoid unplanned pregnancy should use a hormone-free barrier method when ovulating, or if menstrual cycles are irregular. For protection from STIs, condoms must be used.

LEARN MORE

CONSIDER THIS

Withdrawal has a huge capacity for human error. As some sperm can be released before orgasm, the withdrawal method should only be considered if you’re comfortable with the risk of conceiving. It does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS

THE
IUS

The Hor­monal Coil is a small, soft T-shaped plas­tic frame that re­leases low lev­els of a prog­estin hor­mone for up to 3 to 6 years. It is given with a pre­scrip­tion and placed in your womb by a doc­tor or nurse.

Image of an IUS

THE
IUD

The Hor­monal Coil is a small, soft T-shaped plas­tic frame that re­leases low lev­els of a prog­estin hor­mone for up to 3 to 5 years. It is given with a pre­scrip­tion and placed in your womb by a doc­tor or nurse.

Image of an IUD

THE
IMPLANT

A small, flexible silicone rod that releases hormones for up to 3 to 5 years. It is given with a prescription and placed under the skin of your upper arm by a doctor or nurse.

Image of the Implant

THE
PILL

A small tablet containing one hormone, or a combined pill containing two hormones, that is self-administered with a prescription and needs to be swallowed at the same time each day.

Image of birth control pills

THE
INJECTION

A shot containing hormone(s) that is given with a prescription and administered by a doctor or nurse every 1 or 3 months.

Image of an Injection

THE
PATCH

A small, thin, skin-colored plastic square that sticks to the skin and releases hormones. It is given with a prescription and can be self-administered once a week.

Image of the Patch

THE
DI­APHRAGM

A silicone cup placed in the vagina that prevents sperm from reaching the womb. Though some are fitted by a doctor or nurse, most are self-administered with a prescription up to 24 hours before sex.

Image of a Diaphragm

THE
RING

A small, flexible ring that is self-administered with a prescription and placed in the vagina, where it releases hormones for 3 weeks.

Image of a Ring

THE
FEMALE CONDOM

An internal condom that works in the same way male condoms do, though it is placed in the vagina. It is self-administered and bought over the counter.

Image of Female Condom

THE
MALE CONDOM

A sheath placed over the erect penis to stop sperm from reaching the vagina, it is also the only method that helps lower the risk of STIs. It is self-administered and bought over the counter.

Image of a Male Condom

THE
SPONGE

A small, round piece of foam with a nylon loop that is placed in the vagina right before intercourse. It is bought over the counter and is self-administered.

Image of a Sponge

NATURAL
PLANNING

Self-directed methods of avoiding pregnancy that include menstrual cycle tracking and body temperature measurements to identify fertile days.

Natural Planning

SPERMICIDE

Creams, films, foams, gels and suppositories that contain chemicals to stop or kill sperm. These are bought over the counter and are self-administered.

Image of spermicide

WITHDRAWAL

Also known as ‘the pull-out method’, this self-directed method involves withdrawing the penis prior to ejaculation to avoid pregnancy.

Image of a timer for the withdrawal method

MALE
STERILIZATION

A medical procedure performed by a doctor or nurse that blocks the tubes carrying sperm.

Icon representing male sterilization

FEMALE
STERILIZATION

A medical procedure performed by a doctor or nurse that blocks the fallopian tubes and removes the possibility of pregnancy.

Icon representing female sterilization
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Last updated on 21/02/2020

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