Withdrawal (A.K.A "The Pull Out Method")

Every method of birth control has pros and cons; this one is no different. Withdrawal -- commonly referred to as "pulling out" -- is when the penis is removed from the vagina before the moment of ejaculation to prevent pregnancy. If there's no sperm present in the vagina, there's nothing to get pregnant from. This is the world's oldest method of birth control and is often used because it's free, it's easy, it's convenient, and there are no hormonal side-effects.

For any method to be effective, it has to be used correctly. With pulling out, "perfect use" means that you're well aware of your sexual response and know exactly when you're about to ejaculate, so that you can pull out in time. For this reason, withdrawal is not recommended for the sexually inexperienced. It's also not recommended for those who often prematurely ejaculate.

In terms of effectiveness, withdrawal doesn't stack up too well against other birth control methods. With perfect use, 4 out of every 100 people using withdrawal will become pregnant within a year. With typical use, 27 out of every 100 will become pregnant within a year. Compared to other methods, this is very high:

    

Even with perfect use, pregnancy can still happen. It's uncommon, but sometimes pre-ejaculate -- the secretions that come from a penis as a natural lubricant (also commonly referred to as "precum") -- can contain sperm left in the urethra from a previous ejaculation.  This is less likely if you've urinated since the last time you orgasmed, because urine can help clear your urethra of sperm. If you rely on withdrawal for birth control, make a note to use the restroom before having sex! 

It's important to realize that withdrawal does absolutely nothing to protect you from sexually transmitted infections. Therefore, this is a method that should only be used in relationships where you know for a fact that everyone involved has been tested and you know you can trust your partner to be honest with you.

Among the various methods of birth control, withdrawal is one of the least effective. While it's better than nothing, the odds of pregnancy with it are still very high. If possible, you should use a far more effective form of birth control, such as an IUD, the implant, or hormonal birth control pills.