Using the withdrawal method to prevent pregnancy doesn't pose any direct risks. But it doesn't offer protection from sexually transmitted infections. Some couples also feel that the withdrawal method disrupts sexual pleasure.
For withdrawal to work as well as possible, you must do it right every single time. Always. So always pull out BEFORE ejaculation, and always make sure to ejaculate (cum) away from your partner's genitals. This is important because pregnancy can happen if even a little bit of semen gets in the vagina.
You can definitely get pregnant even if the guy pulls out before he comes. Guys can leak a bit of sperm out of the penis before ejaculation. This is called pre-ejaculate ("pre-cum"). So even if a guy pulls out before he ejaculates, a girl can still become pregnant.
Best times to have sex without getting pregnant
The best time to have sex without getting pregnant is any time outside the six-day fertile window. In other words, you want to avoid having sex on ovulation day, or the five days before this.
Pull-Out Method Effectiveness
Pulling out isn't a very reliable way to prevent pregnancy. It works about 78% of the time, which means that over a year of using this method, 22 out of 100 women -- about 1 in 5 -- would get pregnant. By comparison, male condoms are 98% effective when used correctly every time.
Change in cervical mucus: Some women notice a change in their cervical mucus after ovulation, which could be a sign that sperm went inside the body. Mild cramping or spotting: Some women experience mild cramping (Mittelschmerz) or light spotting after ovulation, which could be a sign of implantation.
When you feel like ejaculation is about to happen, withdraw the penis from the vagina. Make sure that ejaculation occurs away from the vagina. Take precautions before having sex again. If you plan to have sex again soon, urinate and clean off the tip of the penis first.
Using a second method like a condom can protect you in case your partner doesn't pull out in time. Condoms also help if you want to prevent STIs. Wash up before having sex again. If you have repeat sex, your partner should urinate and clean the penis first.
With pre-ejaculate defined as the volume of lubricating secretions produced by the Littre or Cowper's glands prior to ejaculation, sperm should not be found in the pre-ejaculatory fluids.
You are least likely to get pregnant right before and during your period, and in the days after ovulation, as fertility is lowest when you are not ovulating or your egg has already passed. However, due to cycle variability, no time is 100% "safe," and pregnancy is always possible, so barrier methods (like condoms) are crucial if you want to avoid pregnancy, says Flo app and Kids Health.
✅️Effectiveness Perfect use: About 96% effective. Typical use: Around 78% effective — meaning about 22 in 100 women will get pregnant in a year, mostly because withdrawal is often mistimed. It is because Pre-ejaculate (pre-cum) can contain sperm, which can still cause pregnancy.
The #1 reason condoms fail is human error, most commonly incorrect use like putting it on too late, taking it off too early, not leaving space at the tip for semen, using the wrong lubricant (oil with latex), or using an expired condom, leading to breakage or slippage, according to sources like the Cleveland Clinic, Verywell Health, and studies cited by NBC News. While manufacturing defects are rare, improper storage (heat, wallet pressure) and sharp objects (nails, teeth) also damage condoms.
Key takeaways. It is possible for pre-ejaculate to contain sperm from previous ejaculations, so there is a small chance you could get pregnant from precum. The pullout method (when someone takes their penis out of your vagina before they ejaculate) is not foolproof.
The time to wait for "round two" varies greatly, typically ranging from a few minutes to several hours or even days, depending on age, health, and individual factors, with men generally needing a longer refractory period than women, though women can experience sensitivity or psychological downtime. Younger individuals often recover faster, while older individuals usually need more time (sometimes 12-24 hours) to become aroused again.
It's commonly believed that sperm in precum is “leftover” sperm from previous ejaculations and that urinating before sex clears the urethra of sperm (2). However, this doesn't seem to be true. In studies where sperm was found in precum, all participants had urinated before providing their samples.
One reason why withdrawal isn't 100% effective – even with perfect technique – is that sperm can be released even before ejaculation. This “pre-ejaculate” or “pre-cum” contains sperm, which is why it can cause pregnancy. Because of this, if you experience premature ejaculation the pull-out method is not advisable.
The short answer is that it's possible to get pregnant from pre-cum, particularly if you're using the withdrawal method as birth control during sex. "It's estimated that about 20% of people can get pregnant from withdrawal method during sex, so it's possible those people got pregnant from pre-ejaculate," says Dr.
You should talk to your doctor if you are experiencing premature ejaculation. They can help work out the cause and offer you treatment options. It can also help to talk to your partner and include your partner when you talk to a health professional.
There's a belief that the sperm in pre-ejaculate fluid are leftover sperm in the urethra from the last ejaculation. But even after passing urine several times after the last ejaculation, the pre-ejaculate contains sperm. Passing urine to wash out the urethra does not work to keep sperm out of pre-ejaculate.
Abstinence: Sexual abstinence is defined as refraining from all forms of sexual activity and genital contact, such as vaginal, oral, or anal sex. This method is the only 100 percent effective way to protect against pregnancy, ensuring there is no exchange of bodily fluids (such as vaginal secretions and semen).
Putting on a condom might take some getting used to, but it does not interfere with the ability to maintain an erection unless it is the wrong size or type of condom for you. Condoms that are too tight or cause skin irritation can cause you to lose your erection.
It takes practice to use the withdrawal method perfectly. Withdrawal also takes a lot of self-control. You have to be willing and able to stop having sex before ejaculating (cumming), which is usually when sex feels the best.
How effective is the pull-out method? The pull-out method is about 80% effective. About one in five people who rely on the pull-out method for birth control become pregnant.
If withdrawal fails (cum near genitals or in the vagina), get emergency contraception as soon as possible to help prevent pregnancy. Withdrawal doesn't protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. Use a condom every time you have sex (vaginal, oral, or anal) to lower your risk of STIs and HIV.
Weeing after sex and douching are not effective ways of removing sperm from the body to prevent pregnancy. So what can you do if you think there's a risk of conception? Emergency contraception (EC) is the only effective method you can use to prevent pregnancy after sperm has entered the vagina during unprotected sex.