Weddingbee boards

What do people think about the withdrawal method? I know it's been briefly discussed on other threads but I don't think there has been a thread dedicated to it.

Have people used it sucessfully for an extended period of time? Has anyone gotten pregnant using it? If so, did it fail because the pull didn't happen quickly enough, or was it a complete surprise that it failed?

I would love to hear your thoughts on the topic!

Some ladies will say they use this method successfully, but I think it's hands down the most unreliable form of birth control pretty much ever.  If you are serious about not having children and are mature enough to have sex (and make decisions about your sexual health) there is no reason not to choose a more reliable method of birth control.  If you are ok with the possibility that you will get pregnant and are prepared to raise and support a child, then go for it. 

maybe this is TMI...i'm not a fan cause i like the 'after' time...when you can lay together and stuff without having to worry about what fluids are getting where.  In terms of effectiveness i'm sure it varies really widely - its not the kind of BC method where you can be "perfect" at, so i don't know if it would be possible to have a failure rate with perfect use.   

I have wondered the view on this topic as well after seeing it posted on a couple birth control boards. I personaly would NEVER do this. It was drilled into my head in sex ed for years that this is not a method of birth control, it was a way for guys to talk you out of making them wear a condom. I was recently suprised to find out it is listed as a method of birth control just not recommended, because of the failure rate. I have had friends get pregnant with this method, and were suprised it didn't work. I was suprised that they were suprised, lol. To each their own, but IMO I wouldn't.

Interesting thoughts, ladies, keep 'em coming!

My husband and I recently converted to this "method" of BC. We are prepared to have a child (in fact, anxious to) but are waiting to start trying until some stuff gets figured out with my career. If it happens though, we can make it work.

I've had friends swear by this, and one of my good friends is a sex therapist who says it's a reliable form of birth control (excluding for STD's) and that pre-ejaculate contains no sperm, contrary to popular belief, unless the guy very recently ejaculated.

My cycle is totally off bc of recently coming off the pill, and I just started my first month of charting. My ovulation was finally just detected and turns out we BD'ed the day before I ovulated... so now I'm wondering about what the pull-out method will do for us!

@MsGolightly: No, I meant the withdrawal method alone.., yes I recently started charting so have been paying attention to that too, but I'm curious about strictly the concept of the male withdrawing from the female prior to his ejaculation, regardless of charting/cycle etc. So in other words now that I know that I did ovulate right after we BD'ed, I wonder what my chances are considering he did pull out. I believe the rhythym method is different and I'd be curious it's effectiveness as well actually, as a stand-alone birth control method...

Like I said we're not too worried, I never would have solely used this method before now. In fact, I agree with @cbee: in that it wasn't until I was with my DH that I never "allowed" that to even happen before, even though I was on the pill! With one bf, he pulled out, wore a condom, AND i was on the pill...haha, we were paranoid!!

I wouldn't rely on the "pull and pray" method.  there's a reason it's called pull and "pray"

Withdrawl is the most widely used form of birth control in the world. It's acutally fairly effective...about as effective as spermicidal foams/gels and is more effective than rhythm method. it can be up to 80% effective when done properly.

There are no sperm in pre-ejaculatory fluid. The fluid comes from the ejaculatory duct while sperm come from the seminal vescile. Only during orgasm does the fluid from the ejaculatory duct combine with sperm from the semical vesicle. If a man has two orgasms close together (an hour, for example) and does not urinate in between them, then his pre-ejaculatory fluids will most likely carry sperm.

If you're going to use withdrawl, do make sure you can trust your partner.

1. Make sure he urinates after each ejaculation. If you're worried, use a condom if you're having sex twice in one night.

2. When he does climax, do not have him climax anywhere near your vagina. Sperm can swim. I have personally known two people to become pregnant in this way. Keep the ejaculate away from your lower half and you should be okay.

3. Make sure that he has fully withdrawn before orgasm starts. Pulling out won't matter if a little finds it's way to your uterus.

Always used it. Never failed.

@artichokey: Yes... that is what I have also heard about the pre-ejaculate..thank you for explaining it better.  :)

I'm sorry but I just don't get it. Is it a religious issue? Because that's just hypocritical. Sure you aren't "using" anything, but technically - it's BC. And technically you're avoiding pregnancy. So if you don't want to get pregnant why not just use a responsible, reliable, and effective form? Like condoms. Or the pill. Or a shot. Or a million other ways that will almost 100% ensure you don't have an unplanned pregnancy.

I respect everyone's personal choices and opinions - but like I said, I just don't get it. If it's a religious issue, you're still violating the rules - so why not just do it the correct, safe, and trustworthy way?

Ugh I just reread my post and realized it sounds very "judgy". My apologies - I don't mean to be judgemental.

I just want all the woman on here to be making smart decisions about their bodies and futures. If you aren't ready for a pregnancy then please take all precausions necessary so you don't find youself in a bind.

The end.

@JrzyGurl: I would agree with you if I were not at the point I'm in, which is why I've never solely used this form of bc. However sicne we're marreid, prepared, and anxious for a child- it just isn't the "ideal" time- and I don't want to alter my body's hormones anymore (they wreaked havoc on my cycle), and condoms aren't fun, it seems like the best form for us right now. If we were more concerned and serious about avoiding, you're right, we'd do something more reliable to prevent it.