My girlfriend and I have been having unprotected sex lately, opting for the old “pull-out” method. We are both STD-free and monogamous, so that is not the concern. What I’m wondering is: just how risky is this in terms of the possibility of getting her pregnant? Statistics would be nice too, but I’m especially interested in hearing the experiences and impressions of other people who have done this.
Pretty dang risky. Semen can leak out of you before you climax, and then there’s always the risk of you not pulling out soon enough. Your current method is a fairly good way of winding up pregnant. Realize that your bodies are made to produce babies. It isn’t difficult at all.
Can’t you use something, oh, say BC pills or an IUD or a diaphragm or something, anything at all? How ready are you to be parents?
My wife and I have had sex without some form of birth control five times (not counting times when she was already pregnant). On none of these occasions were we consciously attempting to get pregnant by deliberately having sex close to expected ovulation.
We have two children, and my wife had a miscarriage earlier this year.
You figure the odds.
As other have noted, the pull-out method is one of the worst forms of contraception there is.
According to this data from the FDA, the rate of pregnancy for the withdrawal method for “typical use” is 19%. For perfect use, meaning you withdraw correctly every time, the rate drops to 4%. On the other hand, perfect use rates for female birth control, IUDs, and condoms are 0.1%, 0.6% and 3%, respectively.
Well, that’s pretty much the only method I’ve ever used since I became sexually active at the age of 19 (99% of my relationships have been monogamous) and I haven’t sired any children (I’m 34 now). (God knows my ex’s would have tracked me down by now if I had.) Of course, I’ve also done what I can to reduce my sperm count on my own, if you know what I mean…
Best advice, pay attention to your goody bits, and make sure you get clear before you blow.
It’s very risky. You may be like Tuckerfan and get lucky, but you’re also running a very high risk of having an “accident”. Unless you’re ready to become parents, use another form of contraception.
Having gotten pregnant once with the pull-out method, I don’t recommend it.
If you were my close friend, I’d tie you down, show you baby pictures and never stop asking you if you had started using a condom yet.
I’d be standing behind Troy.
She’s probably already pregnant.
Hope you’ve got a plan to deal with that.
Merry eff’ing Christmas.
My son is the poster-child for the “anything but the pull-out method” of birth control. Sooner or later, yer gonna git caught! Unless maybe your swimmers are a little tired?
Ooo…
That’s cold.
Huh? A condom is only one percent more effective than coitus interruptus? That’s surprising.
I understand that the 4% stat is for “perfect use”, but I have absolutely remarkable self-control. Stone cold samurai time.
My understanding is that condom effectiveness varies pretty widely too, depending on method of use.
I do agree with Danalan, though. If you’re practicing this non-method of birth control, you’d better be equipped to deal with the pregnancy when it comes.
Caution: hackneyed joke approaching
Do you know what a woman who uses the rhythm method is called?
Mom.
And the old ‘pull-out’ method you’re describing is much less effective than that. Not to mention that it was condemned by the judeo-christian god as a sin, if that means anything to you (see Onan).
And if I were you, I wouldn’t feel reassured by Tuckerfan’s comment–
For all we know (Tuckerfan included), he’s sterile or has a very low sperm count or is very lucky. Sorry, Tuckerfan.
My own story: my wife said she was ready for another child. I said I wasn’t sure, that 2 might be enough. She stopped the taking the pill. One night, I didn’t stop to put on a condom. Guess what? Now we have three. One night. I was 34 at the time, coincidentally.
You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch.
Please, if you really want condomless/barrierless sex, look into the pill, or the patch, or IUDs or something. Coitus interruptus is not a dependable birth control method AT ALL. Also, if I recall correctly, there is sperm in the “precum” well before your load is blown, so even if you pull out on time every time you may still find yourself a father.
I agree with Danalan.
Please (and I’m serious) think of the children here.
sigh.
You’re right. I know you’re right. Oh, it started so innocently. “Wouldn’t it feel nice to stick it in without a condom just for a few minutes to see what it’s like?” And now it’s a habit.
There is absolutely no reason for me to not use condoms. And plenty of really good reasons for me to use them.
double sigh. It sure feels good though, don’t it?
How old are you? I’m really just curious.