Pulling out, or the pull-out method, refers to withdrawal, which is one of many ways to prevent pregnancy. Read on for the scoop on withdrawal: how it works, how well it works, and why it may not be the right choice for teens.

What is withdrawal?

Also known — more scientifically — as coitus interruptus, withdrawal may be the world's oldest way to practice birth control. When a guy performs withdrawal, he removes his penis from the vagina before he ejaculates, or comes — that's when semen spurts from his penis.

How does that prevent pregnancy?

The idea behind withdrawal is simple: If sperm is not released into the vagina, pregnancy is impossible.

Does it really work?

Well, that's the thing. In a perfect world, yes, if a guy pulls out in time, pregnancy should be prevented. But there are a couple other factors to consider.

First of all, a guy practicing withdrawal needs to really know his body, because he must be able to predict the exact moment when he won't be able to stop ejaculation. If he can't do this, then it's very possible that he won't pull out in time, and pregnancy might not be prevented.

Also, it may be possible for a woman to become pregnant even if withdrawal is performed correctly. Pre-ejaculate — or pre-cum — does not contain sperm. But it can pick up sperm from a previous ejaculation as it passes through the urethra before it seeps out of the tip of the penis during sexual excitement, before ejaculation happens. It can pick up enough sperm to cause pregnancy. (All men ooze pre-ejaculate, whether they know it or not.)

The numbers don't lie: Of every 100 women whose partners use withdrawal, four will become pregnant each year if they always do it correctly. And of every 100 women whose partners use withdrawal and don't always do it correctly, 27 will become pregnant each year.

Does withdrawal protect me from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?

Nope. If practiced correctly, withdrawal can only prevent pregnancy, not the spread of infection. Using a latex or female condom will help reduce the risk of contracting an STI.

How do I practice withdrawal?

During sex, a guy withdraws his penis from the vagina when he feels he is going to ejaculate, or cum — or right before that point. There is a very cool medical term for that moment. It's called "ejaculatory inevitability."

When a guy knows he can't keep from coming — when he reaches ejaculatory inevitability — he has to pull out. He comes outside his partner's vagina, and makes sure semen does not spill onto the vulva. If he is going to have sex again, he should make sure to wipe off his penis and urinate first. This will help flush any sperm out of his urethra.

Are there advantages to using this method?

Yes. Couples who practice withdrawal enjoy that it

  • can be used when no other method of birth control is available
  • has no medical or hormonal side effects, like some other methods of birth control
  • requires no prescription from a health care provider
  • is completely free

Pulling out can also offer extra protection when you're using other forms of birth control, like the pill, cap, condom, diaphragm, or female condom. So don't be afraid to double up for extra protection!

Are there disadvantages?

There are. The biggest one to pay attention to — and it's a pretty big one — is the risk of performing withdrawal incorrectly.

When considering using withdrawal, it's important to remember that it

  • requires a lot of self-control, experience, and trust
  • is not a good method for a guy who tends to cum too fast
  • is not a good method for a guy who can't always tell when he needs to pull out
  • is not a good method for a woman who doesn't know her sex partner very well

So what about withdrawal for a teen like me?

Good question! Withdrawal is not a method of birth control usually recommended for teens. That's because of the risk of performing it incorrectly. Even if he tries really hard to do it right, a younger guy is less experienced when it comes to sex, and therefore may not know his body well enough to perform withdrawal effectively.

It's pretty easy for a guy to get caught up in the heat of the moment, and end up coming before he's had a chance to pull out. He may have intended to pull out in time, but missed the point where he could stop himself from ejaculating. Younger guys are also more likely to ejaculate prematurely than older men with more experience.

A mistake means sperm is released into the vagina, and it only takes one mistake to result in a pregnancy!