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From: www.tiscali.co.uk/lifestyle/
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Coitus interruptus
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What is coitus interruptus and is it safe?
Coitus interruptus, also known as 'withdrawal' or 'being careful', is where the man pulls his penis out of the vagina before ejaculation, and it has been used for thousands of years to avoid pregnancy. Although an unreliable method, it is much better in situations of spontaneous sexual intercourse than none at all. If the method is carried out consistently every time, then at least something has been done to avoid pregnancy.

If you want to have intercourse again, the man has to urinate and wash himself. The woman too should wash herself if the man ejaculates over her body.

Does it work?
So, as a method of contraception, does it work? It's certainly better than nothing! However, doctors do not recommend it because:

  • it's frustrating for both partie
  • it's risky.
  • The risks are two-fold:

  • it's easy to fail to withdraw early enough
  • it's important to remember that there may be semen present in the 'dew drop' of fluid that a man produces when he is excited but before he actually ejaculates.
  • Apart from lessening the pleasure of sex because the couple have to remember the need for withdrawal, there is nothing wrong or harmful about coitus interruptus.

    However, withdrawing before ejaculation is an emergency solution that should be used by couples who would, ultimately, accept a resulting pregnancy or those who cannot use any other kinds of contraception. In areas where it is very difficult to get contraception (for instance, war-torn countries) 'withdrawal' has often proved effective.

    For people who have access to sensible, modern methods of contraception, coitus interruptus is a poor alternative as it is probably the type of contraception that has the lowest degree of protection.

    Warning:

    Coitus interruptus does not protect against venereal diseases.

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