Study claims ‘pulling out’ nearly as effective as condoms in preventing pregnancy

In sex education, most of us are told that the withdrawal method is NOT a safe way to protect yourself against pregnancy and STIs.

Though the latter is no doubt true- withdrawal won’t stop you from catching something nasty- new research claims that the ‘pulling out’ method is second to condoms as the most effective method of contraception.

Broadly writes that a 2014 study by Contraception reads: "Withdrawal...is about as effective as condoms at preventing pregnancy.”

The study tested a sample of women, asking them what their main methods of birth control. Scientists included withdrawal, despite many not deeming it as a contraceptive method.

The conclusion of the study read: “Many women and couples in our sample used withdrawal in combination, or rotation, with condoms and highly effective methods. Findings suggest that some people who use withdrawal may be more versus less vigilant about pregnancy prevention.”

The researchers then appealed to health care authorities to speak to patients about the withdrawal method following the findings, claiming that the method could be used as a ‘back up’.

“We encourage health care providers and sexual health educators who discuss contraception to include withdrawal in these conversations.

“Many men, women and couples may be using withdrawal as a backup or secondary method; if this strategy were more widespread, the incidence of unintended pregnancy could be reduced.

“Additionally, if individuals are under the impression that withdrawal does not substantially reduce the risk of pregnancy, they may put less effort into using it consistently.

“Increased awareness of the pros and cons of withdrawal has the potential to result in lower contraceptive failure rates.”

They did say, however, that withdrawal could not be reliable as contraception for everyone, particularly for people with several different sexual partners in a short space of time.

“Finally, reliance only on withdrawal is not advisable for some individuals and discussions of the method should emphasise that it does not provide protection against STIs.”

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