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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask you all if the withdrawal method works?

151 replies

Tizzylizzy · 21/08/2012 15:02

My period is a couple a days late...don't think I am pregnant but I was just wondering if anyone else relies solely on this form of contraception, and how effective it's been over the years? It's never failed me yet...

OP posts:
OhTheConfusion · 21/08/2012 15:04

Gosh, how old are you?!?

Ofcourse it's not a reliable form of contraception. I would suggest a pregnncy test.

bigpantspam · 21/08/2012 15:05

It isn't a method of contraception really is it? You might as well cross your fingers and hope for the best, it would be about as effective.

Original poster
Tizzylizzy · 21/08/2012 15:06

God I've read it really is quite effective!

OP posts:
kittyandthefontanelles · 21/08/2012 15:06

My grandad was one of 13. You do the math(s). After you've piddled on a stick that is.

Original poster
Tizzylizzy · 21/08/2012 15:07

Anyone gotten pregnant on here using it?

OP posts:
StuntGirl · 21/08/2012 15:09

Good god woman, seriously? Go and take a pregnancy test.

Tee2072 · 21/08/2012 15:10

Do you know what they call women who use the withdrawal method?

Mummy.

YusMilady · 21/08/2012 15:10

But, but....proper contraception is free and widely available. Why on earth would you want to rely on hoping for the best ????

TheBigJessie · 21/08/2012 15:10

Very ineffective! Both statistically, and anecdotally. A girl who I knew used it once said, "well, I've been using withdrawal for a year, and I've only got pregnant once".

GivenToFly · 21/08/2012 15:12

You cannot be serious.

Original poster
Tizzylizzy · 21/08/2012 15:12

I'm 30 and have only had babies when planned. Must just have been v lucky to date!

OP posts:
Petsinmyolympicpudenda · 21/08/2012 15:13

Tee2072Grin

Schlock · 21/08/2012 15:14

Maybe some men have more sperm in their pre-cum juice (god, just sicked a little in my mouth typing that) than others because I have a friend who has always used this method with her husband, has had to planned babies and no accidental pregnancies. I also know many women who used this method just once and found themselves expecting.

TheBigJessie · 21/08/2012 15:14

Tizzy where have you read it's effective?

Let me outline the flaws.

Firstly, pre-ejaculate fluid may contain sperm. (Wikipedia says the pre-ejaculate fluid picks up sperm from a previous ejaculation.[16] For this reason, it is recommended that the male partner urinate between ejaculations, to clear the urethra of sperm, and wash any ejaculate from objects that might come near the woman's vulva (e.g. hands and penis).[17])

Secondly, it relies on someone having enormous self-control just before they orgasm, and being consistently willing to risk spoiling the sensation. Thus, often men don't pull out in time.

Heavensmells · 21/08/2012 15:14

I got pregnant after using the withdrawal method once. Dp and I got carried away and had run out of condoms and thought we should be ok.
9 month old ds is currently asleep next me, obviously I'm glad he's here but am too frightened to let dp anywhere near me even with a condom until he's had a vasectomy.

Diddydollydo · 21/08/2012 15:15

it's very effective if you want a baby.

AlexanderSkarsgardOhYes · 21/08/2012 15:15

Is there something wrong with me? I've been using withdrawal as my method of contraception for the last decade and have never gotten pregnant except the one time I wanted to...if the man has good self-control and, sorry to be graphic, is not a 'dribbler' it seems to work...

wigglesrock · 21/08/2012 15:15

I know a few people who've relied on it and its worked, well I think it has Grin, but the man just doesn't withdraw, there's temperatures to be taken, avoiding certain days etc, - its not just as simple as "pulling out".

Put it like this I've never taken my chances with it and neither has my Mum and we're wild Catholic Grin

Technoviking · 21/08/2012 15:15

As Billy Connolly said, "I'd like to thank the withdrawal method, without which I wouldn't be here today".

PurplePidjin · 21/08/2012 15:16

25+4 = No it doesn't Wink

wednesdaygirl · 21/08/2012 15:16

Omg i only have to look at one and im pg e

CornishKK · 21/08/2012 15:17

DH and I used the withdrawal as our only contraception for 8 years - no "accidents". Within 6 weeks of deciding to have a go at trying for a baby I was pregnant with DS so it's not like we're not fertile.

Still not a method I'd choose if I really didn't want to be pregnant.

Tee2072 · 21/08/2012 15:18

Well, for those it has worked for, are you talking about the withdrawal method or actual Natural Family Planning?

There is a difference.

yellowraincoat · 21/08/2012 15:18

You know Planned Parenthood in the USA actually list the withdrawal method as a means of contraception?

But there is a reason we don't use it in this country.

aufaniae · 21/08/2012 15:18

I used withdrawal with my ex for 10 years and I never got pregnant.

We've both had DCs with our new partners with no problem subsequently.

When the Dr asked me what contraception I used, I said "you're probably going to tell me off for this, but withdrawal". She said "I'm not going to tell you off at all - it seems to work for some people". (We'd been using it for many years by then.)