Operational Obstetrics & Gynecology

Withdrawal

Around the world, withdrawal is the most commonly used form of contraception.

Also known as "coitus interruptus," or "pulling out," the penis is withdrawn from the vagina just before ejaculation. Orgasm is usually completed by manual stimulation.

Withdrawal has some significant advantages:

It is reasonably effective (80-90%).
It involves no mechanical devices, medications, or chemicals
It is always available and requires no preparation

However, withdrawal as a contraceptive method has some problems:

It's effectiveness is very dependent upon the male sense of timing. Some men are more skilled at this than others.
It requires mental resolve on the part of the male at the precise moment when the power of passion and instinct is formidable.
Because of the pre-orgasmic secretion of male prostatic fluid, some sperm may be deposited in the vagina even before ejaculation has occurred.
During the few minutes after ejaculation, the initially thick, globular semen liquefies. In this more liquid form, it is relatively easy for some of the semen to come into contact with the vulva, particularly if there is continuing intimate contact. Pregnancies have occurred under these circumstances, even without vaginal penetration, although they are not common.
Some men find withdrawal to be psychologically and physically less satisfying for a variety of reasons. The sensations are not identical to orgasm at full penetration, and the sense of completion is different.
Some women find withdrawal to be psychologically and physically less satisfying for similar reasons.

Home ╖ Introduction ╖ Medical Support of Women in Field Environments ╖ The Prisoner of War Experience ╖ Routine Care ╖ Pap Smears ╖ Human Papilloma Virus ╖ Contraception ╖ Birth Control Pills ╖ Vulvar Disease ╖ Vaginal Discharge ╖ Abnormal Bleeding ╖ Menstrual Problems ╖ Abdominal Pain ╖ Urination Problems ╖ Menopause ╖ Breast Problems ╖ Sexual Assault ╖ Normal Pregnancy ╖ Abnormal Pregnancy ╖ Normal Labor and Delivery ╖ Problems During Labor and Delivery ╖ Care of the Newborn

Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
Department of the Navy
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Operational Obstetrics & Gynecology - 2nd Edition
The Health Care of Women in Military Settings
CAPT Michael John Hughey, MC, USNR
NAVMEDPUB 6300-2C
January 1, 2000

This web version of Operational Obstetrics & Gynecology is provided by The Brookside Associates Medical Education Division. It contains original contents from the official US Navy NAVMEDPUB 6300-2C, but has been reformatted for web access and includes advertising and links that were not present in the original version. This web version has not been approved by the Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense. The presence of any advertising on these pages does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service by either the Department of Defense or the Brookside Associates. The Brookside Associates is a private organization, not affiliated with the United States Department of Defense. All material in this version is unclassified.

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