Contraception prevention or birth control always carries a risk of failure. The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that no method of birth control is 100 percent effective and successful prevention of pregnancy is largely determined by following method instructions as well as the method used. The withdrawal method of birth control, also referred to as pull out or coitus interruptus, is one of the least effective means for preventing pregnancy with a failure percent rate of over 20 percent, according to the website Contracept.org. There is only one form of withdrawal method, and using it has benefits and consequences.
How it Works
According to Planned Parenthood, approximately 35 million couples around the globe use the withdrawal method of pregnancy prevention. The mechanics of withdrawal involve the male preventing ejaculation inside the female by pulling out right before semen exits his penis. A significant amount of self-control and understanding of the sensations precluding ejaculation are required on the part of the male to pull out at the right time. When executed successfully, pregnancy does not occur.
Reliability of Withdrawal Methods
The overall reliability of using withdrawal as birth control is low compared to other methods of prevention. Planned Parenthood notes that an average of 4 percent of women who use the withdrawal method correctly per year become pregnant and an average of 27 percent become pregnant from using the withdrawal method incorrectly. The unreliability of this method, even when it is practiced correctly, comes from the potential for semen to escape the male in a process called pre-ejaculation. According to a U.S. National Library of Medicine study in 1993, a low risk of viable sperm exist in pre-ejaculation semenal fluid. The Guttmacher Institute notes that the withdrawal method is far more effective than using no birth control method at all.
Additional Considerations
The withdrawal method is considered an easy, convenient and free method of birth control. However, it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Planned Parenthood suggests using the withdrawal method in combination with condoms to decrease the risk of contracting diseases. The exchange of fluids, even pre-ejaculation semen, increases the risk of spreading sexual disease and has serious consequences for both partners. Physician consultation is suggested to explore all safe, reliable and effective methods of birth control prior to engaging in sexual intercourse.
References
- Planned Parenthood: Withdrawal Pull Out Method
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Researchers Find No Sperm in Pre-ejaculate Fluid
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Birth Control Options
- Children Youth and Women's Health Services: Contraception
- Guttmacher Institute: Does Withdrawal Deserve Another Look
