A recent study showed that the pull out method of contraception has nearly the same rate of effectiveness as condoms. Check it out:
“Although withdrawal may not be as effective as some contraceptive methods, it is substantially more effective than nothing,” said the report. “It is also convenient, requires no prior planning and there is no cost involved.”
Jones noted that one persistent myth often cited as a drawback to withdrawal — that there is mobile sperm in pre-ejaculate — is actually contradicted by two studies cited by the National Institutes of Health.
“In two small studies there is no sperm in the fluid,” she said. “If the guy has had sex in the last couple of hours is the only way it gets in pre-cum. But if you go to the bathroom, it flushes the sperm out.”
But the study is controversial, and has been met with criticism, with family planning researchers saying it should only be used as a stopgap measure or emergency protection. Hormones and intra-uterine devices (IUDs) are still considered the most effective methods of birth control.
Baby and Blog writer Alicia B. recently wrote about stopping her use of birth control pills because of the hormone’s negative effects on her body.
I’m a fan of the pull out method, and have used it successfully for the past 7 years. I also recently downloaded menstrual and ovulation apps on my phone so I’m more aware of what’s going on in my body.
But I’m curious moms. What is your preferred method of birth control? Share your experiences and advice!
Well let’s just say I was using the Pink Pad app for my menstrual and to tell me when I was free to do the do without getting pregnant bc we also dont believe in birth control. Let’s just say I’m now prego with Twins…so I wouldn’t rely on the app. LOL
I quit hormonal birth control when I was 25. I’m now 39. It didn’t agree with me. I never wanted to have sex with it and I figured the reason you don’t get pregnant on it is it ruins your sex drive and sex is no where near as good when you are on them.
I had one planned son on purpose when I was 35 and have had no accidents & no abortions – not like I (personally) would have had one anyway. If you are very regular keeping track of your period and ovulation cycles, and avoiding sex at those times it becomes second nature. No sex 5 days before or 2 days after my ovulation date.
On the down side both parties *most* want sex when the woman is ovulating or about to ovulate! My husband says that ovulation sex is the best and I agree with him! We are designed to want to multiply so if you find your self unable to resist – know that you are definitely ovulating and decide if it’s worth another baby to you
The pull out method isn’t that reliable because naturally a small amount of semen will leak out just before withdrawal so if you don’t want to get pregnant,don’t rely on it.
I have always thought this method in sexual practise was more for the males enjoyment,as there is no way of him knowing that you will cum by the time he is ready to.
My hubby and I have been on the pull out method for 7 years, and the only time it didn’t work resulted in the birth of our son. 2 to 3 times a year we have to use the morning after pill (to ensure no pregnancy), but aside from that it’s been really effective for us.
If you read the article I linked to, I think the semen leaking out is a myth that was debunked.
I would say, though, that pull out only works when your partner is disciplined. And I don’t think it’s just for the benefit of men. Sex feels better for me too when my husband isn’t using a condom.
Pull out for me is too stressful. No one wants to end at that moment! That’s the best part! Expecting people to be disciplined at that moment when you are ovulating is asking a lot.
If you aren’t ovulating then no need to pull out. If you are ovulating the only 100% is abstinence. I think only if you are kinda sorta willing to have a baby should you rely on pull out. Even then make sure you are taking your B6 & B12 vitamins so that if you do get pregnant that your baby doesn’t end up with cleft palate or spina bifida – my gyn told me that.
I’m currently not in a relationship, so abstinence is the way to go for me. I’m “One and Done”, meaning I don’t want anymore children (I already have a son). It’s the most responsible way for me.
I was on hormonal birth control a few years before I met my fiance….it messed with my moods and made me retain weight, so I quit. Future hubby and I started out with condoms, but they’re expensive over time, and as Leila said above, not nearly as fun for us. So I got a non-hormonal IUD implanted (Paraguard). While the implantation process was definitely not fun, and my periods certainly got heavier, it has been soooo worth it. We’re not ready for children yet, and now we don’t have to be for up to 10 years, if we choose.
Well I was in the implanon..lived it..had it removed a few weeks ago and got pregnant immediately. ..
*loved….
Well, the pull out method may work for some, and that’s great. Definitely didn’t work for me. 3 children are the result of the method. I have not wanted to get on birth control since I got married, and I haven’t. With my third child I heavily researched natural birth control methods, and found out from the research that you can check your fluids to tell when you are actually ovulating. Excuse me if this is TMI, but when you ovulate your fluids are “sticky”. When you pull your fingers apart the fluid stretches when you’re ovulating, and it doesn’t stretch when you’re not ovulating.
So, I got all excited when I actually did see a change in my fluids, and I knew that I was ovulating, and it coincided with the time that I figured I was ovulating. I told my husband, “Ok, you have to wear a condom during this time or we don’t do anything.” He didn’t want to wear a condom, and wanted to do what we always do, which is the pull out method. He was sure nothing would happen, and he would pull out in time. My crazy self went along with it!
Surprise, surprise, I got pregnant with our last baby. So, the pull out method is great if you would be half way excited about another pregnancy. If you ABSOLUTELY do not want any more children, I definitely would not recommend it as a form of birth control. Or, maybe I would if you know when you’re ovulating and you have the discipline to make your husband wear a condom or abstain.
OMG the pull out method is NOT a method lmao it is an attempt (note: eveyone I know who thought it was a real method have kids now), NO ONE should be using it as a failsafe. Even if you think you know about your period cycle, I am willing to bet MOST women have not been trained adequately in that, and it probably takes years to understand well….
I don’t care what method you DO use (hopefully stay away from IUDs though!) BUT don’t fool yourself, the pull out method is extra stressful and not that effective at all.
Why the preaching against IUDs? Sure, if you’re trying to use a non-FDA regulated one, you might have some problems…but the IUDs of today are not the same as the ones from 1980. Take a look see: http://nwhn.org/not-your-mother%E2%80%99s-iud-benefits-and-risks-modern-iuds
I personally don’t think the pull out method is safe at all, and I don’t think it’s very clever to advocate it. If you’re married/in a stable relationship and don’t mind having children, then yes, by all means go for it; after all it’s the most natural way to have sex and surely the best. And if it works for you, then that’s great!
But that’s the only case it can be “safe” to use it; in any other situation, that is the riskiest way and should certainly not be promoted. And I’m pretty sure there are lots of evidence babies that prove this point, no matter how many studies results or how many comments say that it works…