Effectiveness: 82 to 96 percent (4-27 pregnancies per 100 women each year).
What is it? Your partner pulls his penis out of your vagina before climax and ejaculation. Also called pulling out or coitus interruptus. Effectiveness depends on the male's self-knowledge and self-control.
How does it work? Your partner must pull completely out of your vagina before ejaculating (coming) to prevent sperm from entering your vagina and fertilizing an egg. Sperm near the vagina can travel inside and cause pregnancy. Contrary to public perception, pre-ejaculate (or pre-cum) usually does not contain sperm; the chance of pre-ejaculate picking up sperm in the urethra is lessened if the man urinates before having sex. Effectiveness increases when you work together.
STD protection: No; withdrawal reduces the risk of a man passing HIV to a woman, but you will still need to use condoms if you are concerned about STDs.
Benefits: It's always available and free. It can increase communication with your partner.
Disadvantages: Can be difficult for teens or others with little sexual experience to use. Drugs and alcohol may diminish the ability to withdraw on time. It's less effective for men who have multiple orgasms. Even if your partner withdraws, if any sperm gets in or near your vagina, you may get pregnant.
Availability: Always available.
Cost: Free
Notes: This is one of the few options available to men and is much more effective than not using any birth control. It requires self-control, experience and trust.
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HealthyWomen Editors
The editorial team and staff of HealthyWomen.
Kim Ledgerwood
Editorial Director, HealthyWomen
As HealthyWomen’s editorial director, Kim oversees the production of all content and ensures that it is aligned with our mission, meets our high editorial standards and captures our brand voice.
Kim is an award-winning editor and copywriter with more than 25 years of experience. She started her career as a copywriter and broadcast producer at the Southeast’s largest full-service advertising agency, The Tombras Group. Since then, she has edited and written for a wide variety of clients, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to indie authors across multiple industries and topics.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, as well as a master’s degree in communications/advertising from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Kim lives in Maryland with her husband, three children and a menagerie of pets.
Jacquelyne Froeber
Senior Editor, HealthyWomen
Jacquelyne Froeber is an award-winning journalist and editor. She holds a BA in journalism from Michigan State University. She is the former editor-in-chief of Celebrated Living magazine and has editing and writing experience for print and online publications, including Health magazine, Coastal Living magazine and AARP.org.
As a breast cancer survivor, Jacquelyne encourages everyone to perform self-exams and get their yearly mammograms.
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HealthyWomen Editors
The editorial team and staff of HealthyWomen.
Kim Ledgerwood
Editorial Director, HealthyWomen
As HealthyWomen’s editorial director, Kim oversees the production of all content and ensures that it is aligned with our mission, meets our high editorial standards and captures our brand voice.
Kim is an award-winning editor and copywriter with more than 25 years of experience. She started her career as a copywriter and broadcast producer at the Southeast’s largest full-service advertising agency, The Tombras Group. Since then, she has edited and written for a wide variety of clients, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to indie authors across multiple industries and topics.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, as well as a master’s degree in communications/advertising from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Kim lives in Maryland with her husband, three children and a menagerie of pets.
Jacquelyne Froeber
Senior Editor, HealthyWomen
Jacquelyne Froeber is an award-winning journalist and editor. She holds a BA in journalism from Michigan State University. She is the former editor-in-chief of Celebrated Living magazine and has editing and writing experience for print and online publications, including Health magazine, Coastal Living magazine and AARP.org.
As a breast cancer survivor, Jacquelyne encourages everyone to perform self-exams and get their yearly mammograms.