Effective sex education starts with meeting people where they are – not where we hope they will be. That means being realistic and candid about the kind of relationships and sexual activity people are actually engaged in. One example of this that needs to be addressed is the pull-out method. 

We understand its appeal and why it continues to be used so widely — trust us, we've been there. That being said, we think it is important to highlight the facts about this method, especially when it comes to its very low efficacy rate, which could be greatly attributed to the presence of semen in male pre-ejaculate (or pre-cum), even if your partner manages to pull out "on time".  

What is pulling out?

Pulling out is a method to prevent pregnancy that is exactly what it sounds like: pulling the penis out of the vagina before ejaculation to avoid pregnancy. It is also known as coitus interruptus or the withdrawal method.

Why is it so risky?

This method is reliant on a man knowing when to pull out right before any semen comes out, having enough control, and timing it exactly right. All of that is definitely not easy.

In addition to that, men naturally release a pre-ejaculate during intercourse, which can contain semen and can pose a pregnancy risk. Finally, even if he ejaculates outside but close to your vaginal opening, semen can work its way inside, increasing the risk of an unwanted pregnancy. 

Other downsides

The pull-out Method takes away your ability to protect yourself from an unwanted pregnancy, because you're entirely relying on your partner's ability to know when to withdraw. 

Most importantly: Unlike condoms, which have a much higher rate of preventing pregnancy, the pull-out method does not at all protect you from STIs.

At Mauj, we're all about giving you the information you need, so that whatever decision you make for yourself, you are fully informed first. 

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