How reliable is withdrawal as a birth control method?

How reliable is withdrawal as a birth control method?

My partner says I can’t get pregnant if he pulls out before he ejaculates. Is that true?

According to Contraceptive Technologies, research has shown that there is no sperm in pre-ejaculatory fluid, but that same fluid does carry the possibility of the transmission of STDs such as chlamydia/gonorrhea, HIV, and herpes. This is a contraceptive method that is better than doing nothing at all, but it’s taking a chance on becoming pregnant when that may not be wanted. The effectiveness of withdrawal is lessened as it is sometimes difficult to prevent ejaculation when trying to withdraw.

So pregnancy as well as STDs can be the result of not using a condom. Using a condom could easily prevent most of these concerns very effectively.

Joseph Shaeffer, ARNP/CNM

Spokane, WA