# Withdrawal method & condom use have about the same level of birth control effectiveness! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 1, 2016, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withdrawal-method-condom-use-have-about-the-same-level-of-birth-control-effectiveness/753571 "2016-05-01T02:03:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2016, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withdrawal-method-condom-use-have-about-the-same-level-of-birth-control-effectiveness/753571/1 "2016-05-01T02:03:30Z")
Withdrawal method only 4% failure - Condom use 3% failure! I would have lost that bar bet! Based on various public health warnings over the years I got the impression that pulling out was almost useless as a birth control method. [Why So Many Young Women Love The ‘Pull-Out Method’](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/why-so-many-young-women-love-the-pull-out-method_us_5718f1f0e4b024dae4f14305?cps=gravity_5020_5558830672913228046) > [@](#): > > But perhaps surprisingly, research indicates that pulling out is about as effective as condoms at preventing pregnancies — though of course, not sexually transmitted infections. The perfect-use failure rate for condoms is around 3 percent; for withdrawal, it’s 4 percent. One investigation found that 18 percent of couples who use withdrawal for a year will get pregnant, compared to 17 percent among couples who use condoms, although Planned Parenthood puts the chances of pregnancy higher, saying that 27 out of 100 women whose partners use withdrawal will get pregnant. Of course, neither method comes close being as effective as the birth control pill or IUD, but the numbers do suggest that pulling out suffers from an unfairly negative reputation. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2016, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withdrawal-method-condom-use-have-about-the-same-level-of-birth-control-effectiveness/753571/2 "2016-05-01T02:12:42Z")
The key is that this is the failure rate _if done correctly_. Your average young man is not likely to pull out on time, whereas condoms are more foolproof. ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2016, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withdrawal-method-condom-use-have-about-the-same-level-of-birth-control-effectiveness/753571/3 "2016-05-01T15:33:57Z")
Also psychologically unsatisfactory. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2016, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withdrawal-method-condom-use-have-about-the-same-level-of-birth-control-effectiveness/753571/4 "2016-05-01T16:10:12Z")
The CDC puts failure rates at 17% for male condoms and 22% for withdrawal with “typical use” ([PDF](http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/unintendedpregnancy/pdf/family-planning-methods-2014.pdf)). Just offered as another data point since their “one investigation” was from 2002 and the data sheet linked is from 2014. Might have some new info from the past 12 years. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2016, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withdrawal-method-condom-use-have-about-the-same-level-of-birth-control-effectiveness/753571/5 "2016-05-01T16:17:55Z")
Remember that failure rates for condoms are not condom failures, but failure to use one. The failure rates are high for all birth control devices when you don’t use them. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2016, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withdrawal-method-condom-use-have-about-the-same-level-of-birth-control-effectiveness/753571/6 "2016-05-01T16:28:14Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Your average young man is not likely to pull out on time How hard is it to pull out in time, if you’re genuinely trying to? ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2016, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withdrawal-method-condom-use-have-about-the-same-level-of-birth-control-effectiveness/753571/7 "2016-05-01T16:35:58Z")
> [@Mk\_VII](#): > > Also psychologically unsatisfactory. It could be worse. [SamuelLJacksonVoice] “Hi! I’m Barry… I’m going to be your designated pull-out bouncer for tonight? I’ll be telling you when to pull out. Remember, if you don’t pull out when I tell you to, I WILL knock yo ass out of her and across the room with this baseball bat. If it matters, and it does, I was All-State Batting Champion 2001, so I’d suggest you listen. Ya’ll go on and have fun now…” [/SamuelLJacksonVoice] ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2016, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withdrawal-method-condom-use-have-about-the-same-level-of-birth-control-effectiveness/753571/8 "2016-05-01T16:53:45Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > How hard is it to pull out in time, if you’re genuinely trying to? Not hard but the point is: who the he’ll wants to? Sure some places teach abstinence-only, but teen pregnancies occur even in places with extensive education because teenagers can be idiots. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2016, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withdrawal-method-condom-use-have-about-the-same-level-of-birth-control-effectiveness/753571/9 "2016-05-01T17:08:53Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Not hard but the point is: who the he’ll wants to? Yeah, I never got that. Frankly, using a condom and staying in to completion sounds more satisfactory to me than withdrawal. Withdrawal might be better than no sex at all but those are rarely your only two options. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2016, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withdrawal-method-condom-use-have-about-the-same-level-of-birth-control-effectiveness/753571/10 "2016-05-01T18:24:53Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Remember that failure rates for condoms are not condom failures, but failure to use one. The failure rates are high for all birth control devices when you don’t use them. What? I’m pretty sure they are talking about using condoms and the condoms breaking or some other scenario not the choice not to use one. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2016, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withdrawal-method-condom-use-have-about-the-same-level-of-birth-control-effectiveness/753571/11 "2016-05-01T18:32:00Z")
How does a 3% failure rate for condoms make sense? 0.97^23 is less than 0.5, which means that with that figure if you use condoms 23 times you have a better than 50% of at least one failure. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2016, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withdrawal-method-condom-use-have-about-the-same-level-of-birth-control-effectiveness/753571/12 "2016-05-01T18:34:57Z")
> [@astro](#): > > What? I’m pretty sure they are talking about using condoms and the condoms breaking or some other scenario not the choice not to use one. Note the post above mine that mentions a 17% failure rate for condoms. If that’s based on anything it would include failure to use. The OP cites 3% which could be just breakage. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2016, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withdrawal-method-condom-use-have-about-the-same-level-of-birth-control-effectiveness/753571/13 "2016-05-01T18:35:23Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Yeah, I never got that. Frankly, using a condom and staying in to completion sounds more satisfactory to me than withdrawal. Withdrawal might be better than no sex at all but those are rarely your only two options. I’m not in your camp re “satisfaction”. Condoms for STD safety and superior birth control all the way but from a physical sensation perspective the real world difference in sensation is huge. Non-barrier penis vagina sex (IMO) is a 1000% more satisfactory sensation when there is not a rubber barrier in the way. I think in some cases getting some skin to skin contact and withdrawing would be more “satisfactory” overall than using a condom. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2016, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withdrawal-method-condom-use-have-about-the-same-level-of-birth-control-effectiveness/753571/14 "2016-05-01T18:37:22Z")
> [@Mr\_Shine](#): > > How does a 3% failure rate for condoms make sense? 0.97^23 is less than 0.5, which means that with that figure if you use condoms 23 times you have a better than 50% of at least one failure. Condoms are thin and fragile. Condom breakage is very, very common in vigorous sex. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2016, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withdrawal-method-condom-use-have-about-the-same-level-of-birth-control-effectiveness/753571/15 "2016-05-02T00:39:46Z")
> [@astro](#): > > I’m not in your camp re “satisfaction”. Condoms for STD safety and superior birth control all the way but from a physical sensation perspective the real world difference in sensation is huge. Non-barrier penis vagina sex (IMO) is a 1000% more satisfactory sensation when there is not a rubber barrier in the way. I think in some cases getting some skin to skin contact and withdrawing would be more “satisfactory” overall than using a condom. I was reading a sex toy blog and they commented that the ‘female condom’ seemed to give better sensation for the male because [putting it in my words and somewhat crudely] the penis slides around inside freely instead of being tightly wrapped so it is actually getting friction sensation. Which does actually make sense to me. found it. spoilered for two click rule. [internal condom](http://www.ohjoysextoy.com/internalcondom/) ---
**Author:** ![spamforbrains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@spamforbrains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spamforbrains)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2016, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withdrawal-method-condom-use-have-about-the-same-level-of-birth-control-effectiveness/753571/16 "2016-05-02T01:52:06Z")
> [@](#): > > Remember that failure rates for condoms are not condom failures, but failure to use one. that’s not true. It’s failure of the condom. They fail frequently, which has been known for years. Anyone who relies on nothing but a condom or the “pull out” method to prevent pregnancy is an idiot. Condoms work pretty well to prevent STDs but they are basically hopeless as birth control and I can’t believe any woman would trust a man to reliably use the “pull out” method. If you’re not into a vasectomy, your best bet is for the woman to get an IUD for birth control and the man to also use a condom for STD protection; that’s pretty fool-proof. The docs are starting to suggest that all teenage girls get an IUD these days. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2016, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withdrawal-method-condom-use-have-about-the-same-level-of-birth-control-effectiveness/753571/17 "2016-05-02T02:31:59Z")
> [@spamforbrains](#): > > that’s not true. It’s failure of the condom. They fail frequently, which has been known for years. I did some googling and found several sites that agree with the following: [QUOTE=WebMD] In a year, 2 out of every 100 women whose partners always use condoms correctly will get pregnant. That number rises to 18 out of every 100 women when their partners don’t use the condom correctly every time. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2016, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withdrawal-method-condom-use-have-about-the-same-level-of-birth-control-effectiveness/753571/18 "2016-05-02T23:30:30Z")
The failure rates for birth control pills includes women who forget to take the pills. The failure rates for condoms includes times people don’t use condoms. Yes, it sounds stupid but it’s actually smart. A birth control method that you don’t actually use is a failed birth control method. A birth control method that you can’t remember or don’t want to use correctly is a failed birth control method. If you say you use condoms for birth control, and then you don’t actually use the condom when it counts, that’s a failure for condoms. If you get in a car crash because you were texting and not looking at the road, that’s still a car crash even though there was nothing wrong with the car or with your eyes or your hands. Condoms are very effective if you actually use them. But people constantly fail to use them, or fail to use them correctly, because obviously not using a condom feels better and is a lot easier. So if you plan to use condoms but don’t actually use condoms, then condoms are not very effective for you and you should stop relying on condoms as a method of birth control. ---
**Author:** ![DataX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DataX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DataX)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2016, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withdrawal-method-condom-use-have-about-the-same-level-of-birth-control-effectiveness/753571/19 "2016-05-02T23:56:08Z")
I never got the people that use the withdrawal method. Those numbers confuse almost everyone - and are relatively poor quality data. No one thinks “if I use a condom over the course of a year - what are the chances I will get pregnant”? Or at least I don’t - I think most people assume they are per act - which obvious;y doesn’t make sense if you think about it. What if I have sex twice as often as the people in the study? And you certainly can’t make decisions based on these studies as the individual behavior of people that use them - are different. You shouldn’t assume that switching to something that has an APPARENT similar rate - will be similar - these are basically surveys and not true studies. I think (but have no evidence for this) - that people that use the withdrawal method are often using it as a one time thing - cause they forgot a condom.at least this is my experince talking to friends/partners. Also part of my bias is I can’t see someone planing this as a pleasurable experince. I hate condoms, but - geeze - no. More problems with the stats > [@](#): > > Women who intend to have future births or are unsure of their intentions are roughly 3 times as likely to become pregnant while using withdrawal as those who do not intend a future birth No thanks - I’m not taking that risk - and why would a woman necessarily trust the guy either. ---
**Author:** ![spamforbrains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@spamforbrains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spamforbrains)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withdrawal-method-condom-use-have-about-the-same-level-of-birth-control-effectiveness/753571/20 "2016-05-03T01:21:19Z")
> [@](#): > > The failure rates for birth control pills includes women who forget to take the pills. The failure rates for condoms includes times people don’t use condoms. If you look at the studies, they usually provide both numbers-the failure rate if used perfectly and the failure rate if used “in real life” aka not perfectly. According to Planned Parenthood, if 100 couples used condoms perfectly for a year, three couples will end up pregnant. In typical use, however, 18 couples end up pregnant. If 100 couples use “withdrawal” perfectly, 4 couples will end up pregnant after a year. It does, however, have an extremely low rate of “perfect use”, with 27 couples out of a hundred getting pregnant in real life. Personally, I think a 3 to 4% failure rate is completely unacceptable. Most birth control methods designed for women have a significantly less than 1% failure rate when used perfectly. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withdrawal-method-condom-use-have-about-the-same-level-of-birth-control-effectiveness/753571.md?page=2)