Seriously? Withdrawal Is Still Being Used As A Contraceptive?

By Akela Talamasca on June 12th, 2009

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This article brings to light the revelation that not only are people still using the method of withdrawal as a form of birth control, but that some academics are actually taking it seriously enough to advocate it.

Okay, seriously now. The referring article calls withdrawal “a legitimate, if slightly less effective contraceptive method”. Kinda seems to me that with birth control, you don’t want “slightly less effective”; you want “as friggin’ effective as possible”. Sure, it can work, but you’re rolling the dice every time. It’s a medical fact that during intercourse, some seminal fluid does escape the penis, and this premature fluid can cause insemination. So, you might think that you’re just going to keep going until you’re at the moment of orgasm, and then withdraw, betting on external ejaculation to prevent a pregnancy, but that doesn’t always work.

And then there’s still the consideration of STDs. Riding bareback stops nothing from getting to you. You wouldn’t stick your manhood into a pool full of piranhas, would you? Same thing.

Also, you’re really placing a lot on your own willpower. Guys: accidental pregnancy happens all the time because it’s really hard to stop yourself in the moment and pull out. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but is it really that difficult to wear a condom? Think of it this way: the lesser degree of sensation means that you’ll last longer, and that’s a good thing, isn’t it? For ultimate surety, practice withdrawal in conjunction with a condom. There’s nothing that will guarantee 100% safety, but if you’re serious about contraception — and you should be — you’ll reconsider the withdrawal method.