Withdrawal

Around the world, withdrawal is the most commonly used form of contraception.

Also known as "coitus interruptus," or "pulling out," the penis is withdrawn from the vagina just before ejaculation. Orgasm is usually completed by manual stimulation.

Withdrawal has some significant advantages:

• It is reasonably effective (80-90%).
• It involves no mechanical devices, medications, or chemicals
• It is always available and requires no preparation

However, withdrawal as a contraceptive method has some problems:

• It's effectiveness is very dependent upon the male sense of timing. Some men are more skilled at this than others.
• It requires mental resolve on the part of the male at the precise moment when the power of passion and instinct is formidable.
• Because of the pre-orgasmic secretion of male prostatic fluid, some sperm may be deposited in the vagina even before ejaculation has occurred.
• During the few minutes after ejaculation, the initially thick, globular semen liquefies. In this more liquid form, it is relatively easy for some of the semen to come into contact with the vulva, particularly if there is continuing intimate contact. Pregnancies have occurred under these circumstances, even without vaginal penetration, although they are not common.
• Some men find withdrawal to be psychologically and physically less satisfying for a variety of reasons. The sensations are not identical to orgasm at full penetration, and the sense of completion is different.
• Some women find withdrawal to be psychologically and physically less satisfying for similar reasons.