To ask you all if the withdrawal method works?

[Tizzylizzy]

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...

My 39wk pregnant belly says no, it's not a reliable form of contraception.

You son't have to track anything - it doesn't matter when you do it if you d it properly!

10 years only using it and when we stopped we were pregnant within a month. Since DC I have used it but now have a coil as wasn't keen on an accident as much. Obviously we were married for 4 of those years and ok if there was an accident but then I would guess unless you use sterilisation any form of contraception is risky.

No it is not effective. My friend has two babies to testify to that. Now go get yourself some proper contraception!

Works for me! My partner and I used this method for 7years, and only got pregnant once, when we planned to. practiced it with my ex too.
Ask anyone who is ttc, there is a very narrow window of opportunity to conceive each month.

Doesn't sound much fun though, you can't exactly lose yourself in the throes of passion, can you?

Hmm..currently 24 weeks pregnant but it worked for dh and I for about 5 years..we did avoid having sex during ovulation though..

Maybe I should have tried that one - nothing else worked for me now I've got 5 of the little darlings (and I wouldn't be without any of them!!)

I used to use the withdrawal method for about a year when I was young and stupid and managed not to get pregnant, I then got pregnant straight away when actually trying.

I've read that it's about 75% effective if done 'properly' which some men find very difficult to pull out at that exact moment. Plus I believe there can be a little leakage beforehand that he may not even know about. Thinking about it now it seems like a very immature way to have sex and really ruin the moment, these days even if hormonal contraception wasn't an option I think even condoms would be preferable to withdrawal.

Avoiding sex whilest ovulating is that not when a women is most horney

Blimey what fun NOT

My Best friend has just had her third dc using this reliable method!

A vicars wife once told me she could teach me the method as it had worked well for her but it involved lots of checking mucus secretions etc and was not just about pulling out on time so I declined

A vicars wife once told me she could teach me the method as it had worked well for her but it involved lots of checking mucus secretions etc and was not just about pulling out on time so I declined

That was thoughtful of her

My friend was charting temp and mucus for a few years anf felt the need to share her mucus consistancy not literally she would tell me not show me, didnt work anyway her wee boy is now 6

Temperature charting and mucus-inspecting is part of Natural Family Planning, which is a separate thing to the withdrawal method, although the latter does sometimes have a role in the former. ie couples will shag with abandon during the non-fertile times of the months and will either abstain or use condoms or withdrawal during the fertile time.

Don't be silly

Does anybody read the thread anymore?

Natural Family Planning/Fertility Awareness and withdrawal are NOT the same thing. Some people combine the two but they are two distinct things.

Withdrawal is 96% effective when used properly.

There is no sperm in leaked pre-ejaculatory fluid.

Bill Clinton did not do a thing with that there cigar and that there lady. No hang on, that one's wrong.

oops sorry, vicars wife clearly (or not depending on cycle) meant natural method, neither appealed so I went with medical methods.

We used this method for 5 years and then decided to try for dd once.. pregnant straight away!

After falling pg on the mini pill (and having subsequent mc) we used withdrawal method for 2.5 years without incident. The first month of ttc we conceived.
BUT, when this baby is born I have to admit I will be searching out a back-up contraceptive!

I think the message here then is use it if you're not really really bothered if you get pregnant (I'm not) but don't use it if you want foolproof. But then again I don't think any contraceptive is 100%...I am secretly excited that there's a slight chance with period being late but I really don't think I am considering its effectiveness to date. Maybe that tells me it's time to start thinking of having another properly!

Fun reading everyone's stories :) especially the ones that resulted in happy accidents.

Works for us. Just withdrawal, anytime, only planned pregnancies.

OK, this might be a bit of a grim question.. but is the withdrawal methos (aside from ineffective) not really messy?! I mean, don't you end up having to change the sheets (or go and have a shower), every single time?

I have personally found it to be effective but makes me worry every month so nowadays am using condoms.

Baby wipes

easilybored just wipe it off with a towel. I can't believe I am discussing this!