Withdrawal (pull-out method): Basic Info

Withdrawal, also called the "pull-out method," is one of the oldest forms of birth control on the planet. Withdrawal is when, during penis-in-vagina sex, the person with the penis pulls their penis out of their partner's vagina before they ejaculate (cum). They can then ejaculate outside of the vagina if they like, but it's important not to ejaculate on the vulva (the parts on the outside, which include the labia and the clitoris), as that can also lead to pregnancy.

When it's done correctly, withdrawal works to prevent pregnancy because without ejaculation into the vagina, sperm can't meet up with an egg. You can also use withdrawal along with any other birth control method to boost effectiveness. The key thing to remember is this: you have to pull out before ejaculation, every single time, for it to be effective.