- Home
- Parents Home
- Allergy Center
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- A to Z Dictionary
- Emotions & Behavior
- First Aid & Safety
- Food Allergy Center
- General Health
- Growth & Development
- Flu Center
- Heart Health
- Homework Help Center
- Infections
- Diseases & Conditions
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Play & Learn Center
- School & Family Life
- Pregnancy Center
- Newborn Center
- Q&A
- Recipes
- Sports Medicine Center
- Doctors & Hospitals
- Videos
- Para Padres
- Home
- Kids Home
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Movies & More
- Diabetes Center
- Getting Help
- Feelings
- Puberty & Growing Up
- Health Problems of Grown-Ups
- Health Problems
- Homework Center
- How the Body Works
- Illnesses & Injuries
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Recipes & Cooking
- Staying Healthy
- Stay Safe Center
- Relax & Unwind Center
- Q&A
- Heart Center
- Videos
- Staying Safe
- Kids' Medical Dictionary
- Para Niños
- Home
- Teens Home
- Asthma Center
- Be Your Best Self Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- Diseases & Conditions
- Drugs & Alcohol
- Expert Answers (Q&A)
- Flu Center
- Homework Help Center
- Infections
- Managing Your Medical Care
- Managing Your Weight
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Recipes
- Safety & First Aid
- School & Work
- Sexual Health
- Sports Center
- Stress & Coping Center
- Videos
- Your Body
- Your Mind
- Para Adolescentes
Birth Control: Withdrawal
What Is Withdrawal?
Withdrawal, also called pulling out, is when a male removes his penis from the vagina before he ejaculates during sex.
How Does Withdrawal Work?
By trying to keep sperm from entering the vagina, a person using withdrawal hopes to prevent pregnancy.
How Well Does Withdrawal Work to Prevent Pregnancy?
Over the course of a year, about 22 out of 100 typical couples who use withdrawal alone to prevent pregnancy will have an accidental pregnancy.
Even for people who think they are doing it correctly, withdrawal is not an effective way to prevent pregnancy. Some sperm leak out of the penis even before ejaculation. So even by pulling out before ejaculation, pregnancy can still happen. Also, if the guy ejaculates close to the outside of the vagina, the sperm can swim up into the vagina. Still, withdrawal is considered a better method of contraception than none at all.
Does Withdrawal Help Prevent STDs?
No. Withdrawal does not protect against STDs. Couples having sex must always use condoms to protect against STDs even when using another method of birth control.
When Should I Call the Doctor?
A girl who uses withdrawal should call the doctor if she:
- might be pregnant
- has a change in the smell or color of vaginal discharge
- has unexplained fever or chills
- has belly or pelvic pain
- has pain during sex
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995- The Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth® is a registered trademark of The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved.
Images sourced by The Nemours Foundation and Getty Images.