Withdrawal is a traditional family planning method in which the
man completely removes his penis from the woman’s vagina before he ejaculates.
Mechanisms of Action
The penis is withdrawn before ejaculation so that the sperm do not enter the vagina and
fertilization is prevented.
Benefits
Contraceptive
- Effective immediately
- Does not affect breastfeeding
- Can be used as a backup to other methods
- No method-related side effects
- Always available
- No cost involved
Noncontraceptive
- Promotes male involvement in family planning
- Possible closer relationship for couple
Limitations
- Effectiveness depends on willingness of couple to use withdrawal with every act of
intercourse (4–18 pregnancies per 100 women during the first year of use)
- Effectiveness may be further decreased by sperm from a recent (< 24 hours)
ejaculation remaining in the penis (urethra)
- May diminish sexual pleasure
- Does not protect against STDs (e.g., HBV, HIV/AIDS)
Who Can Use Withdrawal
- Men who wish to participate actively in family planning
- Couples with religious or philosophical reasons for not using other methods
- Couples who need contraception immediately
- Couples needing a temporary method while awaiting another method
- Couples needing a backup method
- Couples who have intercourse infrequently
Who Should Not Use Withdrawal
- Men who experience premature ejaculation
- Men who have difficulty withdrawing the penis from the vagina prior to ejaculation
- Men who have other physical or psychological conditions that may affect timely
withdrawal
- Couples in which pregnancy would pose a serious health risk to the woman
- Couples who need a highly effective method of contraception
- Couples who want a long-term contraceptive method
- Couples who want a method not related to intercourse
- Couples not willing to use withdrawal with every act of intercourse
Client Instructions
- To enhance cooperation and avoid misunderstanding, before intercourse the couple should
discuss their intention to use withdrawal
- Before intercourse, the man should urinate and wipe off the tip of his penis to remove
any remaining sperm from a prior ejaculation
- When he feels he is about to ejaculate, the man should withdraw his penis from his
partner’s vagina, making sure the ejaculation occurs away from his partner’s
genitalia. (The woman can help by moving away at this time.)
 
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