Apparently Lots Of You Are Relying On This Seriously Risky Birth Control Method

These days we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to contraception. We can take oral contraceptives , opt for a coil, choose to have a contraceptive implant inserted under our skin or even opt for the trusty condom.

For many of us though, in the heat of the moment protecting ourselves against unwanted pregnancies and STIs goes out of the window, with a new survey by fertility app Glow revealing that 18% of women regularly rely on the risky withdrawal method as their only form of birth control.

A further 60% of women said that they’ve relied on a guy to pull out to prevent pregnancy at some point in their lives.

Lets take a look at the facts, shall we?

• The withdrawal method, if practiced correctly, is on average 73% effective at preventing pregnancy, much lower than other birth control methods such as the contraceptive pill (99%), the coil (99%) and the contraceptive implant (99.9%).
• For every 100 couples practicing the withdrawal method, it’s estimated 22 will get pregnant every year.
• The withdrawal method offers no real protection against STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes and HIV.

The lesson? If you want to protect yourself against STIs and prevent pregnancy, relying on the withdrawal method just isn’t worth it, so, er, don’t be silly and wrap his willy.

• contraception
• Relationships
• Sex