Withdrawal (Pull Out)

Withdrawal (pull out) is a hormone-free, natural method, so it is considered safe for people with a history of breast cancer. It does not increase the risk of breast cancer coming back or of developing a new breast cancer. This is true regardless of the breast cancer type, stage, or hormone receptor status.

With perfect use, 4 out of 100 pull out users will get pregnant over a year. Perfect use means that your partner pulls out on time and with each act of sex.

Pull out is not always done on time and each time sex happens. This is called typical use. With typical use, 20 out of 100 pull out users will get pregnant over a year.

You can also use another birth control method at the time of sex. We call this a Method Boost because it prevents pregnancy better than pull out alone.

Method Boost options include outer condom (penile), inner condom (vaginal), spermicides, the vaginal gel (Phexxi), the cervical cap and the diaphragm.

Pull out stops semen (cum) from getting into the vagina. Sperm, which is carried in the semen, cannot swim to the egg and fertilize it.

The penis needs to be pulled all the way out of the vagina before ejaculation (cumming). It can take practice to do this at the right time. If you or your partner think this may be hard to stick to, you may want to choose another method.

Pull out does not affect your periods at all.

Pull out is hormone free and costs nothing. It is safe for people who cannot take hormones.

Your partner controls the process, not you. So you need to trust your partner to pull out on time.

Pull out requires a lot of control at the peak of sexual pleasure, which might be hard to do perfectly every time.

Pull out is a hormone free, natural method. It is safe to use for people who cannot use hormones.

No. However, correct use of condoms can prevent HIV and STIs. Condoms made with latex or polyurethane protect against HIV and STIs. Lambskin condoms DO NOT protect against HIV and STIs.

If you do not have a local birth control provider, click here to find one: Bedsider: Find Birth Control

For more info about pull out (withdrawal): Planned Parenthood: Withdrawal