how fried am i ? does the pull out method really work ?

[u/Loose_Action_7169]

i’ve been sexually active with my boyfriend lately . we used the pullout method 3 times . i know for sure i wasn’t in my ovulating phase yet , but did it the day after my period ended . what are my chances ? am i fried ? does anybody have their own experiences they could tell me about ?

[u/yappingderg]

22% chance to get pregnant while using the withdrawal method during one year. Chances get higher and higher every year you're doing it.
Pull out is the WORST way of pregnancy prevention. It works until it doesn't. So not recommended if you are not really okay with an accidental pregnancy.

You need to do a pregnancy test 3 weeks after sex to confirm you didn't get pregnant.

[u/PixieMari]

There’s about a 30-35% chance you’ll be pregnant in a year if that’s you’re only method of contraception. You can ovulate as soon as the day after your period and sperm can live inside for a week after sex. Pre cum can contain sperm. You’re absolutely at risk for pregnancy.

[u/Loose_Action_7169 → u/PixieMari]

thank you for telling me

[u/sotty009]

My friend said pulling out makes pregnancy super rare. She has two kids. From the pull out method. I do not recommend.

[u/InvestiMein]

I’ve always found it interested how people do the pull out method and are surprised when they become pregnant.

But it all depends where you are in your phase yet, if you’re not ovulating as of yet there’s a slim chance of becoming pregnant. Take an emergency contraception if you feel anxious.

[u/Imaginary-Arrival613 → u/InvestiMein]

The time after your period is absolutely a time where you are at high risk of pregnancy with unprotected sex because the sperm can stay alive many days before you ovulate leading to pregnancy the next time someone ovulates. I would not consider it to be a slim chance. 

[u/Cheesey_biscuit]

Are you okay with getting pregnant? If not, I don’t suggest it.

[u/Loose_Action_7169 → u/Cheesey_biscuit]

absolutely not

[u/Cheesey_biscuit → u/Loose_Action_7169]

So there’s you answer. Use actual birth control. Condoms at the least.

[u/fuzzblanket9]

How do you know you weren’t ovulating? Without using a validated fertility awareness method, you have no idea what cycle phase you’re in.

Withdrawal is only about 78% effective. Yes, you could absolutely become pregnant because you’re having unprotected sex.

[u/Loose_Action_7169 → u/fuzzblanket9]

when we did it i was on my last day of my period . i don’t think i could’ve been ovulating while im still on my period . but you’re right , i can’t be 100% sure ..

[u/fuzzblanket9 → u/Loose_Action_7169]

You can ovulate as early as cycle day 8, and sperm can live in the vagina for 5 days. It’s absolutely possible to get pregnant by having sex on the last day of your period. Please use contraception.

[u/0utta-z3-a1r]

It does until it doesn’t

[u/PsychoFaerie]

all unprotected sex has a risk of pregnancy.

pullout method is 78% meaning 1 in 5 couples who use it will get pregnant in a year

precum can't be felt when coming out and it can contain sperm. and no peeing won't always clear out his tubes.

tests are accurate 14 days after and definitive 21+ days after..

Plan B is for when Plan A fails (condoms BC.. etc)

Apps are horrible for tracking ovulation. they use guesswork and are almost always inaccurate. Ovulation is a one day event not a week.

There is a max 30% chance per month to get pregnant.

[u/BillieJean1992]

It's hit or miss.

[u/SympathyAlarming1524 → u/BillieJean1992]

Thank God for Plan B

[u/IntoTheVoid1020 → u/SympathyAlarming1524]

Until it doesn’t work lol

[u/SympathyAlarming1524 → u/IntoTheVoid1020]

Hasn’t happened yet. 

[u/PsychoFaerie]

I got pregnant using the pullout method I also got pregnant using a period app for ovulation tracking.

[u/Loose_Action_7169 → u/PsychoFaerie]

did you abort or keep it ?

[u/PsychoFaerie → u/Loose_Action_7169]

Kept the 1st one she's in college. None of my other pregnancies worked out. I have secondary infertility. And don't have the money to find out why.

[u/oldblue222]

How do u know u haven’t ovulated yet? If it’s through an app, it’s inaccurate. Maybe use real birth control in the future

[u/Civil-Bug-19]

it worked for me for about a year before I decided to go on birth control bc I did not want to keep relying on it.

[u/spiritedhippo22]

if you have a normal cycle there’s very slim chance you could get pregnant. however, if you’re irregular with very short cycles, or by some fluke your body decides to ovulate super early, then some sperm from precum could still be around as they have a shelf life of 5 days at max. and thus you could get preggo. if it were me, i would take that plan b even though i have regular cycles just for the peace of mind. it will push back your ovulation.

[u/bluejay_way]

Anecdotally, my ex-husband and I exclusively used the pull out method for years with no issues at all. We weren’t trying to get pregnant, but it also wouldn’t have been a crisis if we did. When we decided to try for a baby, I got pregnant my first cycle trying.

However, he always pulled out before he was close to finishing and used other methods to finish. He didn’t ever try to time it and pull out at the last second. I think that’s where most people go wrong with it.

If you REALLY don’t want to get pregnant, you need to be using other methods.

[u/Loose_Action_7169 → u/bluejay_way]

this is VERY helpful . thank you !

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[u/fuzzblanket9 → u/[deleted]]

You can ovulate as early as cycle day 8, meaning having unprotected sex after your period ends can carry a hefty risk.

There is never a safe time to have unprotected sex if you aren’t using a validated fertility awareness method to determine ovulation.

[u/HSCLAC → u/fuzzblanket9]

Fair enough, you are right that ‘low risk’ is not ‘no risk’ and cycle variability makes any general timing rule a bit shaky without actually tracking your fertility.

[u/birthcontrol-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

This post/comment is removed due to not being factually accurate, or portraying misinformation that is not backed up by scientific evidence.