Withdrawal
Withdrawal
AKA
Pull out method, Coitus Interruptus
Efficacy
78% typical; 96% perfect
Routine
Every time
STI protection
No
Pros
Affordable, non-hormonal, easily reversible, no script required.
Cons
Interrupts sex, high failure rate, sperm can be released before ejaculation.
How does the Withdrawal Method work?
Very simply, the Withdrawal Method is the act of withdrawing the penis from the vagina before ejaculating. However, even when used perfectly, 40% of men have pre-ejaculate that contains sperm, which means that there is still a significant risk of pregnancy even when practiced perfectly, making this approach relatively ineffective when compared to other methods.
Tip: The Withdrawal Method works best when combined with another method of contraception, such as Fertility Awareness, or a Diaphragm.
How do I use the Withdrawal Method?
The Withdrawal Method requires the person with the penis to pull out of the vagina, and move away before they ejaculate. To ensure maximum efficacy, there can be no ejaculate in, on, or around the genital area of their partner, as even a small amount of semen anywhere membranous is enough to cause a pregnancy.
If you’re considering using the Withdrawal Method you may want to consider:
STI Status – Have a conversation with your sexual partner about when their last STI check was (and whether they’ve had any new sexual partners since then). The Withdrawal Method won’t protect you against STIs.
Practice – If you’re considering using the Pull Out Method as your only means of contraception, consider having a few practice rounds with a condom first. This can help both of you to gauge how difficult it might be to use perfectly 100% of the time and whether you want to consider combining methods.
Combining Methods – The Withdrawal Method is ideal for using in combination with another method of contraception such as Fertility Awareness or a Diaphragm.
Backup Plan – You can purchase Emergency Contraception over the counter, and it’s a good idea to keep a few spares in the medicine cabinet in case of ejaculation before withdrawal.
Conversation – If this is your only method of contraception, have a conversation with your sexual partner about what will happen in the case of an unplanned pregnancy and ensure you’re both on the same page about it.
Explore more methods
MALE CONDOM
(Rubber, Prophylactic)
Condoms are a barrier that’s placed on an erect penis to prevent contact with the vulva and vaginal canal.
FEMALE CONDOM
(Femidom)
The female condom wraps the inside of the vaginal canal and covers the vulva, preventing a penis from coming into contact with either.
DIAPHRAGM
(Caya)
A diaphragm is a small cap that sits at the entrance to your cervix and prevents sperm from getting through.
THE PILL
(Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill, Contraceptive Pill)
The pill contains oestrogen and progestogen which work together to prevent ovulation, and to thicken cervical mucous; preventing sperm from getting through.
THE MINI PILL
(Progestogen Only Pill)
The mini pill contains progestogen which prevents pregnancy by thickening the cervical mucous, stopping sperm from getting through into the uterus.
VAGINAL RING
(Contraceptive Ring, Combined Hormonal Ring)
A thin band that contains oestrogen and progestogen which work together to prevent ovulation, preventing sperm from getting through.
IMPLANT
(Rod, Bar, Contraceptive Implant)
A small bar inserted into the upper arm that slowly releases progestogen into your bloodstream; preventing ovulation, and thickening the cervical mucous; preventing sperm from getting through.
INJECTION
(Jab)
A 150mg dose of progestogen hormone, it prevents ovulation and thickens the cervical mucous which prevents sperm from getting through.
HORMONAL IUD
(Intrauterine System, IUS)
Releases small quantities of progestogen to your reproductive system. This thickens the mucous of your cervix, so sperm can’t get through.
COPPER IUD
(IUD, Non-hormonal IUD, The Coil)
Releases very low levels of copper ions which affect sperm’s ability to move. Also stops fertilised eggs from implanting in the uterine wall.
TUBAL LIGATION
(Getting your tubes tied, Female Sterilisation)
Surgically creating a block so any potential sperm can’t gain passage along the fallopian tubes.
VASECTOMY
(The Snip, Male Sterilisation)
A vasectomy involves cutting and separating the vas deferens, which are the tubes that move sperm from the testicles to the penis.
FERTILITY AWARENESS
(FAM, Rhythm Method, Calendar Method, Period tracking)
A system of monitoring when ovulation occurs and making sure unprotected sex only occurs on days of minimal fertility.
WITHDRAWAL METHOD
(Pull out method, Coitus Interruptus)
The act of withdrawing the penis from the vagina before ejaculating.
EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION PILLS
(Morning After Pill)
Works by preventing or delaying ovulation, ensuring any viable sperm will be out of the body by the time an egg is released.