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Conception

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Original poster

Withdrawal method - how reliable?

37 replies

GrassW1dow · 23/08/2016 13:41

Assuming you're in the ovulation stage of your cycle, how reliable, on average, is the withdrawal method?

1% risk of conception?
0.01% or more like?
0.00001%?

OP posts:
Original poster
GrassW1dow · 24/08/2016 21:42

to those posters who fell pregnant using the withdrawal method - did your DP fail to withdraw fully in time? (i.e. was the conception because they didn't do the withdrawal method properly?) or did conception occur despite withdrawing in time?

not 14...mid 30s and mid 50s.

OP posts:
wellwewell · 24/08/2016 21:30

Not disputing that it is unreliable in general but I think the reliability for individual couples probably varies a lot.

My partner and I have relied successfully on the withdrawal method for 10 years. In that time I have conceived (quickly) only when we were actively trying.

We're not 14 ;) We're late 30s/early 40s and both university educated - PhD level for one of us. That doesn't mean we're intelligent I grant you!

Obviously to have any chance of working the male needs to be capable of withdrawing in time every time - regardless of inebriation etc.
I haven't ever heard before that some men don't have sperm in pre-cum! Must look that up.

In our case we certainly were not trying to conceive when using withdrawal. We were however in a position where an unplanned pregnancy would not have been the end of the world.

Once our family is complete we will probably opt for vasectomy even though to date withdrawal has never left us down. Never say never etc.

haveacupoftea · 23/08/2016 22:54

We used it for two years without conceiving. We didn't really mind if I got pregnant though.

MamOfTwo · 23/08/2016 22:54

That is one cute baby, 5madthings! Or should that be 6madthings?!

blueistheonlycolourwefeel · 23/08/2016 22:51

Are you 14?

lady2016 · 23/08/2016 22:48

Me and dh used it for two yrs only fell pregnant when stopped using it but we knew that it wasn't the end of the world if I did fall pregnant .I am on the implant now cos we can't have more:(

5madthings · 23/08/2016 22:36

My withdrawl technique baby, four months old. Baby number six for us, should know better!

Withdrawal method - how reliable?
PacificDogwod · 23/08/2016 22:34

Withdrawal 'method' = trying to conceive

It's not a method of contraception, it's a method of deluding yourself. Or your partner coercing you to having unprotected sex.

physicskate · 23/08/2016 22:33

It seems as though some men secrete sperm in pre-cum and thus conception can occur almost unhindered by the withdrawal method. Some men do not have sperm in pre-cum and this it is a more successful 'method' of contraception for them.

How can you tell which type your partner is? Unknown.

Jodie1982 · 23/08/2016 19:46

I'm Currently 19+3 with a baby conceived by withdrawal method. Oooops. Grin

glorious · 23/08/2016 13:49

According to the FPA, 22% of women relying on it will get pregnant each year of use. So over the course of the year it's a 22% risk of conception.

www.fpa.org.uk/use-reliable-contraception/withdrawal-method-is-not-reliable

McBaby · 23/08/2016 13:45

Worked for me the only 3 times we have not withdrawn within 4 days of ovulating I have got pregnant. Otherwise withdrawal during ovulation has worked for a couple of years for me.