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Withdrawal method (coitus interruptus)

Overview:

The withdrawal method also called coitus interruptus, is a type of contraception. It involves the pulling out of the penis out of the vagina to stop the semen that contains the sperm to enter the vagina and avoid pregnancy.

The method requires self-control and is not a very effective way of birth control as the sperm can enter the vagina if the withdrawal is not timely or if the pre-ejaculation liquid has sperm in it. The method also doesn’t offer any protection from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). However, the method is better than no birth control at all when a person wants to get physically intimate and yet wants no pregnancy. It is 80 % effective and one out of five people have a chance of getting pregnant through this method.

How Does The Withdrawal Method Work?

The man’s sperm is required to travel from the vagina of the woman to the fallopian tubes for a pregnancy to happen. This is the place where the fertilization takes place.

In the withdrawal or the pull-out method, the man’s penis is in the vagina before ejaculation and he withdraws it just before he ejaculates, releasing the semen outside the body and preventing it from entering the canal of the vagina. This stops the sperm from reaching the fallopian tubes and helps in avoiding pregnancy.

Reasons Why People Use The Withdrawal Method:

The reasons why couples depend on the withdrawal or the pull-out method are as follows:

  • Couples may not prefer to use devices and pills for birth control or they may not be aware of other efficient alternatives.
  • The method doesn’t interfere with the spontaneity of the act of sex and one is not required to stop in between and use local protection.
  • There is no risk of side effects as with other methods.
  • Some people use the method along with other birth control forms as an added protection to avoid pregnancy.

What Are The ways To Increase The Effectiveness of The Method:

The following ways can help people to improve the effectiveness of the withdrawal method:

  • An effective way to make the withdrawal method work for people is to combine it with other birth control forms like long-acting reversible contraception, birth control pills, condoms, spermicides, and contraceptive gels. These forms increase the likelihood of preventing pregnancy.
  • The withdrawal method should be avoided around the time of ovulation as the chances of getting pregnant in that period are very high. Referring to an ovulation calendar to track the fertile days helps. 
  • The person should pass urine before sex if the withdrawal method is being used as it helps the person drain the pre-ejaculation liquid that may contain sperm. This doesn’t guarantee that a person won’t get pregnant but the chances are reduced.
  • It is better to keep emergency contraception handy like a morning-after pill just in case the pulling out wasn’t timely.

When Does The Withdrawal Method Fail?

  • If the pulling out is not timely- Although ejaculation happens just before the orgasm, it can be difficult for a person to be sure when they are going to ejaculate. While experiencing sexual climax it can be challenging for a person to switch to their logical side when the brain signals the pulling out. Additionally, if a person is inexperienced, under stress, or under the influence of alcohol it is also likely for them not to be able to predict their ejaculation. Hence there are chances that the pulling out may be miscalculated and cause mistakes leading to pregnancy.
  • The sperm can enter a woman’s body sometimes even if their partner pulls out in time. This is because before ejaculation the person releases a pre-ejaculation liquid which may contain some amount of sperm. Although the amount of sperm is not as much as in the semen, it can make a person pregnant. 
  • The person may pull out in time but there is a possibility that the semen lands up on the upper thighs or near the genitals of their partner. Since the sperms are very good swimmers they make their way through the fluid passage and can enter the vagina. This can lead to the woman getting pregnant.  

What Are the Disadvantages Of The Withdrawal Method:

  • While the man has to exercise tremendous control over ejaculation, the woman is not in control of their pregnancy at all. If the partner’s pulling-out time goes wrong, due to various reasons like stress, alcohol, miscalculation, or just because they didn’t feel like pulling out when they were experiencing the height of pleasure, it may lead to an unplanned pregnancy. 
  • The method makes sex tension-filled as there is always the pressure of pulling out in time at the back of the mind of the person. This is not the case with reliable birth control methods as the person doesn’t need to be worried about pulling out during the act.
  • If there is a doubt that the semen has entered the vagina then emergency contraception has to be used. Hence the withdrawal method cannot be reliable as a standalone one and it is better to use birth control methods instead of scampering at the last moment to avoid pregnancy.
  • The method doesn’t offer protection against sexually transmitted diseases like trichomoniasis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea that spread through the body fluids. Using condoms is a very effective method instead.

Conclusion:

The withdrawal method is a convenient method to prevent pregnancy that doesn’t require any equipment, medication, or prescription. However, the method is not completely fool-proof and there are multiple disadvantages. There is one in five chance that the woman will get pregnant. People adopting this technique should be informed about the ways to use this method effectively and the risks involved. It should be noted that there remains the need to use protection against sexually transmitted diseases if the withdrawal method is used. Consultation with the doctor before using the method is vital.

 

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