8 myths about the withdrawal method
‘Withdrawal,’ ‘pulling out,’ ‘pull and pray,’ ‘coitus interruptus’ – there are many terms for this contraceptive method, but there are also many myths surrounding its use.
Love Matters lays down facts about this most ancient form of contraception.
Withdrawal is a sure way of preventing pregnancy
Withdrawal method is withdrawing the penis from the vagina before orgasm so that ejaculation occurs outside instead of within the woman’s vagina. It can be an effective method of preventing unwanted pregnancy, but it is not 100 per cent accurate 100 per cent of the time.When used correctly, the pulling out method still results in pregnancy for four out of every 100 women using it as a method of birth control. For those who haven’t yet mastered the art of pulling out just in time, 27 out of every 100 women become pregnant each year. And even if a man pulls out in time, pregnancy may still occur, as pre-ejaculate, or pre-cum, can pick up enough sperm left in the urethra from previous ejaculations to cause an unwanted pregnancy.
Withdrawal is easy
Withdrawal might sound like a simple maneuver, but in practice, it is not so easy – especially for beginners. Using the withdrawal method takes practice and communication between partners. It’s always good to use an alternative, more reliable form of contraception so that you do not put yourself at risk of unintended pregnancy.
Men can be trusted to pull out in time
Couples who posses great self-control, experience and trust can use the withdrawal method effectively, but if any of these three elements is missing, it would be best to use an alternative method of birth control. Men using withdrawal must be able to tell exactly when they are about to orgasm, and to pull out in time before they cum inside their partner. Thus, withdrawal is not the best option for teens, sexually inexperienced men or those who ejaculate prematurely, as pulling out a moment too late may result in an unwanted pregnancy.
Pulling out is an ineffective method of birth control
Withdrawal is often perceived as an ineffective way to prevent unwanted pregnancy, despite the fact that 60 per cent of couples have used the method at least once.
However, according to research done by the Guttmacher Institute in New York, when executed right (meaning the penis is pulled out before ejaculation or climax and no semen enters the vulva) the withdrawal method is 96 per cent effective for preventing pregnancy. Compare this with the effectiveness of ideal condom use, which is 98 per cent. Withdrawal, when done right, is an effective way to prevent pregnancy – it’s just not that easy to pull out at the right moment every time. Still, withdrawal is better than taking no precautions whatsoever, and in many cases is nearly as effective as using a condom.
Only irresponsible people use withdrawal
A recent US national survey found that five percent of couples in the US rely exclusively on withdrawal as a method of birth control, while 60 per cent of women aged 15-44 have used it at some point in their lives. In short, people of all ages use withdrawal to prevent pregnancy. Additionally, coitus interruptus alongside other birth control methods will help decrease the likelihood of an unwanted pregnancy.
Pre-ejaculate doesn’t have any sperm in it
Pre-ejaculate, or pre-cum, is the liquid that comes out of the penis before a man actually ejaculates. All men pre-cum, whether they know it or not. A number of studies have shown that this pre-ejaculate does not contain any sperm, but it is able to pick up sperm from previous ejaculations as it moves up out of the urethra. To clear sperm from previous ejaculations out of the urethra, urinate before sex and wash the penis thoroughly to clean away any excess seminal fluid.
You won’t contract STDs if you use pull out method
Nope, the pulling-out method in fact exposes you completely to the risk of sexually transmitted diseases or STDs. Wearing condoms – male or female – is the best way to protect yourself from STDs.
No preparation is required
In theory, nothing is really required prior to using the withdrawal method. But before each round of lovemaking, especially if you’ve already had intercourse on the same night, the man should urinate to flush unwanted sperm out of the urethra and wash his penis thoroughly to clean off any remaining seminal fluid. If the man has ejaculated on the woman’s body, she should wash herself too, taking special care to wipe any fluid away from her vulva.
Do you know any more myths about the withdrawal or pulling out method? Leave a comment below or share your thoughts on Facebook.
Tell us what you think
Recent Comments (60)
Its the best f well used
Its the best f well used
Hi there,
Hi there,
if you mean experienced, then we have to disagree, because even if you are very experienced, you won’t be able to control pre-ejaculate, which can contain sperm.
can you contract AIDs before
can you contract AIDs before ejaculation n then u pulls out from the vagina after ejaculation.
Hi Peter,
Hi Peter,
withdrawal will not prevent the transmission risk of HIV. You need to use condoms for prevention.
Grace
Grace
?
?
Thanxs guys ur confirmming to
Thanxs guys ur confirmming to me that what my boyfriend and i do during intercourse is normal. Keep it up re
Hi Memory,
Hi Memory,
that’s what we are here for.
Its hard to withdraw coz i
Its hard to withdraw coz i feel so sweet to shoot it deep in nd moreso the best wen she climaxes as i also shoot. its wow
Hi Meli,
Hi Meli,
then you need to find a birth control method that works for you, like the pill or an IUD.
Hae guyz
Hae guyz
….sometimes its z hard
……we both prefer this …..bt we find it harder coz most of the time it usually happen wen am at climax en we want to enjoy without hurting each other
Hi Denise,
Hi Denise,
withdrawal is certainly not an ideal contraception method, so you might want to check if another option might work for you.
Have a look here: http://lovematters.co.ke/resource/birth-control
this method is wow if used
this method is wow if used the right way. i love it so much . It motivates me to go upto ten rounds .
Ten rounds? Your poor partner
Ten rounds? Your poor partner.
You know Sam, when it comes to sex, quality is so much better than quantity.
One round can be so much better than 15 in one night…
We have been using it with my
We have been using it with my partner for three years and it has worked well…is there any problem???
No. It’s a very unreliable
No. It’s a very unreliable method, but it seems to work for you.
Its the best and if I may ask
Its the best and if I may ask what is the other best way of preventing pregnacy
Hi Sharon,
Hi Sharon,
withdrawal is a very unreliable method of pregnancy prevention.
Check here for more reliable methods:
http://lovematters.co.ke/resource/birth-control-methods
what’s the meaning of IDU ?
what’s the meaning of IDU ?
Hi Sonship,
Hi Sonship,
it’s intra-uterine device. It’s a small piece of plastic or copper that is placed inside a woman’s uterus by a doctor.
It’s one of the most reliable birth control methods.
cnt risk.mwaga ndaniiii
cnt risk.mwaga ndaniiii
Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for your comment.
Cindy
Cindy
Connie
Connie
i have used withdrawal method
i have used withdrawal method for the last one year and it is effective.the only problem being climmaxing outside is painful
Hi Toti,
Hi Toti,
there are other methods you might want to look into, that are much more reliable.
http://lovematters.co.ke/resource/birth-control-methods
Good advice for the people
Good advice for the people willing to transform
Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for your comment.
it never works for us
it never works for us
Hi Chris,
Hi Chris,
not to worry, there are other methods!
http://lovematters.co.ke/resource/birth-control-methods
Hi guys so u mean if u pull
Hi guys so u mean if u pull out and continue pregnancy can occur?
Hi Rocks,
Hi Rocks,
if you pull out but sperm gets into the vagina, then yes, absolutely.
hi guys ,my partner n i hv
hi guys ,my partner n i hv being using da withdrawal method n so far so good bt i du fear nt gettng my period every month
Hi there,
Hi there,
check out the other possible methods, you might find something more reliable.
http://lovematters.co.ke/resource/birth-control-methods
Myths are far from reality.
Myths are far from reality. Condom use is the best solution
Thank you for your input
Thank you for your input Condom.
is it must,or is sex a
is it must,or is sex a neccesity in ones lifetime,,,
It is not a must, having sex
It is not a must, having sex is a choice and nothing can happen from lack of sex.
I find it hard to withdraw
I find it hard to withdraw while in orgasm so i encourage my partner to use implant. Above all know ur partner’s HIV status so as to enjoy coitus
Thank you Dave for sharing
Thank you Dave for sharing your experience.
I have used it several times
I have used it several times and it has real worked for
Me as far as unwanted pregnancies are concerned
Thank you for your input. 🙂
Thank you for your input. 🙂
2mi ts hard en i prefer
2mi ts hard en i prefer condom use atleast coz during climax ts terrible always
Thank you Raphael for sharing
Thank you Raphael for sharing your experience.
its vry hard to withdraw the
its vry hard to withdraw the dick once you’re at climax tat’s at which time the lady is pecking n pulling you towards herself not to interfere with the sweetness.
Withdrawal could be
Withdrawal could be challenging at times Jonah
In Most Cases Its Not The
In Most Cases Its Not The Best Way Of Controlling Unwanted Pregnancies Cos Its Just A Risk
Thank you for your input
Thank you for your input Patricia
i’ve sucçesfully used
i’ve sucçesfully used withdraw with my fiancy 4 now 6 years and we only have 1 child but it needs experienced people
Withdrawal needs a lot of
Withdrawal needs a lot of discipline. Thank you Samson for sharing your experience..
used to use it but recently,
used to use it but recently, decided to change for condoms to the best. guys, use condoms. thats tha surest way ever. good times.
Thank you Wynn for your input
Thank you Wynn for your input
Between withdrawal and using
Between withdrawal and using condom, which öne is more satisfying?
Wesonga, when it comes to a
Wesonga, when it comes to a matter of satisfaction that is a matter of opinion. But if you are asking which one is effective in pregnancy prevention then the condom will be your choice because its very effective.
This is why i dropped using
This is why i dropped using CDs, i one day realised that the Cd had burst and i actually released inside the lady, i was much stressed coz i thought i had impregrantd her of whch awaz wrng, so nowadays i use the pull out,
why was she not pregrant? Am i infertile?
Hi Wesonga, Thank you for
Hi Wesonga, Thank you for sharing that with us. You need to know that condoms burst due to reasons like friction during sex, lack of enough lubrication. If it expired or if its worn wrongly. With proper use of condoms a condom is very effective in prevention of STI’s including HIV and pregnancy. A condom is much more effective in pregnancy prevention than the withdrawal method. A woman does not become pregnant anytime she has unprotected sex. The only way you can find out if you are infertile is by doing a sperm fertility test.
Hi guyz thz method can let u
Hi guyz thz method can let u down despite the “exprience” after 6yrs of using it we got a second born out of it.
Sorry Domi for that. The
Sorry Domi for that. The success rate is much higher than the failure rate with good use.
We never use condoms or any…
We never use condoms or any birth control. It feels more natural.
Hey Paula, there are birth…
Hey Paula, there are birth control methods that will not interrupt your love making. While when using a condom partner may need to stop to put one on especially the male condom, methods like the Shot, Pills, Implant among others won’t interrupt or get in the way of you enjoying sex. It is important to think about how important it is for you not to get pregnant and the choose an appropriate method for you and your partner. Check out the following articles for more information on the various birth control methods;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/birth-control/types-of-birth-control