Understanding the Male Withdrawal Method: Effectiveness & Considerations

Withdrawal method: This method involves pulling the penis out of the vagina right before ejaculation.

Effectiveness: This method can't be counted on. It takes a lot of practice to pull out in time, and people often can't tell exactly when they are about to ejaculate.

Pros: There are no side effects, it's natural, it's acceptable to most religious groups, it's easy to use, it's free, and it doesn't require any planning.

Cons: It leads to less sexual pleasure because a man has to stop having sex at an important moment, it's not reliable because it's really hard to pull out in time, and a man can still get a women pregnant if he pre-ejaculates.

Other considerations: A couple should use another birth control method when they decide they are OK having their relationship with some risk of pregnancy during the fertile time.