Video: Options for contraception
Sex and relationships
It’s a natural form of birth control that involves taking the penis out of the vagina and away from the vulva (the female’s outside genitals) before any semen comes out.
The pull-out method
- The pull-out method (or the withdrawal method) is when the penis is taken out of the vagina before ejaculation (or cumming).
- Pulling out is one of the least reliable ways to prevent pregnancy!
- Some people think that using the withdrawal method feels better than using condoms. But it does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV – and that can be a real passion killer.
- The basics
- In detail
What is the pull-out method?
Can the withdrawal method prevent pregnancy?
The idea is simple – if ejaculation happens outside of the vagina then sperm cannot reach the egg to fertilise it. But this doesn’t always work.
How effective is the pull-out method?
- The pull-out method is unreliable. Sperm can get into the vagina if the penis isn’t taken out in time or if pre-cum fluid has sperm in it. (Pre-cum is liquid that can come out of the penis before ejaculation.)
- It doesn’t protect you or your partner from STIs, including HIV – only condoms prevent pregnancy and STIs. It is not always easy to know whether sperm has entered the vagina. So you may think pulling out has worked when it hasn’t. This means you might not realise when you need to use emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy.
- Research shows that 22 out of every 100 people who use the withdrawal method will become pregnant. But only one out of every 100 people who use hormonal contraceptives, such as the pill or implant, get pregnant.
What do we do if they pull out too late?
If the pulling out happens too late, you can use emergency contraception. This can prevent pregnancy if you take it within 3-5 days after having sex.
If you and your partner decide to use the pull-out method it is useful to get some emergency contraception in advance so you can take it if you need it. But it’s a good idea to avoid taking emergency contraception too often. It is better to use a contraception method that is designed for regular use, like the pill, implant, IUD or injection.
Let's talk about pulling out!
Here are a few questions to help kick-off discussions on the issues you need to talk about! You can share them on social, on WhatsApp or just get talking.
Test your knowledge of preventing pregnancy
Preventing pregnancy quiz
Looking for more detailed information?
Are there other forms of natural birth control?
Some people track their menstrual cycle to work out when pregnancy is most likely to happen.
This is called the rhythm method. It is another type of natural birth control, like the pull-out method.
Some couples combine the rhythm method with pulling out. This means they only use the withdrawal method during ovulation, as this is when pregnancy is most likely to happen. But sperm can live for up to seven days after ejaculation, so even if someone isn’t ovulating when they have sex, the sperm released into them may still be alive when their body later releases an egg, and pregnancy can then occur.
Natural birth control is one of the least reliable ways to prevent pregnancy, it also doesn’t protect you from STIs. It is only recommended for couples that wouldn’t mind becoming pregnant.
If you are concerned about using hormonal birth control there are many reliable options that do not involve hormones, such as condoms and the copper IUD.
What advice can I give to someone about the pull-out method?
If someone is using the withdrawal method to prevent pregnancy, give them clear and accurate information, which you can find in the basics tab.
It is a good idea to discuss the risks they are taking if they choose this birth control method and talk to them about other options so they have all the facts. But remember, the final decision is theirs – it’s important not to judge or they may feel less able to talk to you about their sexual health in the future.
Are you working in the HIV response?
The basics
What is the pull-out method?
It’s a natural form of birth control that involves taking the penis out of the vagina and away from the vulva (the female’s outside genitals) before any semen comes out.
Can the withdrawal method prevent pregnancy?
The idea is simple – if ejaculation happens outside of the vagina then sperm cannot reach the egg to fertilise it. But this doesn’t always work.
How effective is the pull-out method?
- The pull-out method is unreliable. Sperm can get into the vagina if the penis isn’t taken out in time or if pre-cum fluid has sperm in it. (Pre-cum is liquid that can come out of the penis before ejaculation.)
- It doesn’t protect you or your partner from STIs, including HIV – only condoms prevent pregnancy and STIs. It is not always easy to know whether sperm has entered the vagina. So you may think pulling out has worked when it hasn’t. This means you might not realise when you need to use emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy.
- Research shows that 22 out of every 100 people who use the withdrawal method will become pregnant. But only one out of every 100 people who use hormonal contraceptives, such as the pill or implant, get pregnant.
What do we do if they pull out too late?
If the pulling out happens too late, you can use emergency contraception. This can prevent pregnancy if you take it within 3-5 days after having sex.
If you and your partner decide to use the pull-out method it is useful to get some emergency contraception in advance so you can take it if you need it. But it’s a good idea to avoid taking emergency contraception too often. It is better to use a contraception method that is designed for regular use, like the pill, implant, IUD or injection.
Let's talk about pulling out!
Here are a few questions to help kick-off discussions on the issues you need to talk about! You can share them on social, on WhatsApp or just get talking.
Test your knowledge of preventing pregnancy
Preventing pregnancy quiz
In detail
Are there other forms of natural birth control?
Some people track their menstrual cycle to work out when pregnancy is most likely to happen.
This is called the rhythm method. It is another type of natural birth control, like the pull-out method.
Some couples combine the rhythm method with pulling out. This means they only use the withdrawal method during ovulation, as this is when pregnancy is most likely to happen. But sperm can live for up to seven days after ejaculation, so even if someone isn’t ovulating when they have sex, the sperm released into them may still be alive when their body later releases an egg, and pregnancy can then occur.
Natural birth control is one of the least reliable ways to prevent pregnancy, it also doesn’t protect you from STIs. It is only recommended for couples that wouldn’t mind becoming pregnant.
If you are concerned about using hormonal birth control there are many reliable options that do not involve hormones, such as condoms and the copper IUD.
What advice can I give to someone about the pull-out method?
If someone is using the withdrawal method to prevent pregnancy, give them clear and accurate information, which you can find in the basics tab.
It is a good idea to discuss the risks they are taking if they choose this birth control method and talk to them about other options so they have all the facts. But remember, the final decision is theirs – it’s important not to judge or they may feel less able to talk to you about their sexual health in the future.
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