Birth Control Problem Set

Problem 8: Withdrawal

Tutorial to help answer this question

There is no danger of pregnancy if the male interrupts intercourse and withdraws his penis from his partner's vagina before he ejaculates.

A. True

B. False

Tutorial

Withdrawal

Withdrawal, or coitus interruptus, is a variation of abstinence. Fertilization is avoided by preventing contact between spermatozoa and the ovum. The male partner interrupts intercourse and withdraws his penis from his partner's vagina before he ejaculates.

Interruption of the sexual response cycle certainly diminishes pleasure and requires enormous will power. Furthermore, the pre-ejaculate fluid can contain sperm. This method offers no protection from sexually transmitted diseases.

Failure rate
The failure rate for the withdrawal method of birth control is 5% to 19%.

Complete abstinence

Complete abstinence, on the other hand, means no intercourse nor penis/vagina contact. It is the simplest, most reliable and effective method as long as there is no genital contact. There are many reasons why some people choose not to have intercourse. These reasons might be personal preference, moral, religious, spiritual, health, not in love, not in the mood, or not emotionally ready. Instead they choose among the many other ways to have intimate relationships without sex.

Failure rate
0%

The Biology Project
University of Arizona
Tuesday, February 10, 1998
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