Question

Hi,

I just need to know that when you sleep with a man and they don't use a condom but withdraw before they reach an orgasm, is it still possible for you to become pregnant?

I would really like to know as I am a bit concerned as this is the way me and my partner are making sure I don't become pregnant.

Thank you,

Joanne

Answer

Re: The Effectiveness of Withdrawal as a means of Contraception

The withdrawal method of birth control, also known as coitus interruptus or “the pull-out method” has an average failure rate of 19% for adults. For teens, the failure rate is even higher (31%). When a man has an erection, pre-ejaculatory fluid seeps out from the penis before he reaches orgasm and it is possible for sperm to be present in this fluid. Additionally, the man may not withdraw in enough time to prevent semen from escaping into the vagina. Even a minute quantity of semen can cause a pregnancy. Statistically, this means that each year about 1 in 4 users of this method will experience an unplanned pregnancy.

Debi Hoppe
Fertility Awareness/NFP Instructor
Sympto-Thermal Method

© Copyright 2005 by www.canfp.org

The information on this page and web site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis and treatment by a physician.