Other methods

Other methods of contraception

Non-penetrative sex

If you have non-penetrative sex – like kissing, mutual masturbation, stroking or rubbing –you can't get pregnant or contract most sexually transmitted infections (STIs). But there are still some infections such as herpes and genital warts that can be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact.

Abstinence (not having sex)

Abstinence means different things to different people. Some young people choose not to have penetrative sex, including vaginal and anal sex. Others are happy with kissing and cuddling – and nothing more. Just because you're abstinent doesn't mean you can't date, have feelings for another person or be in a relationship. Sexual relationships have physical and emotional risks. Abstinence is a very good way to postpone taking those risks until you're able to handle them. Some people choose oral sex because they think it isn’t really sex, however oral sex is a form of penetrative sex, and STIs can be passed on this way.

If you abstain from oral, anal and vaginal sex, you are 100% safe from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). And abstinence is the only 100% effective form of contraception.

Advantages

  • Free.
  • No medical or hormonal side effects.
  • No prescription needed.

Disadvantages

  • Young people may find it hard to abstain for long periods of time.
  • People often end their abstinence without protecting themselves against unplanned pregnancy or STIs.

Withdrawal (pulling out)

This method is known scientifically as coitus interruptus and is one of the world's oldest forms of contraception. But a major downside is that withdrawal doesn't prevent you from getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and is also not a very effective method of contraception.

How it works: The male takes his penis out of the female's vagina when he feels that he is going to ejaculate (or cum). This stop the sperm from getting inside the vagina. He needs to cum outside his partner's vagina, and make sure that semen does not spill anywhere near her genitals. If he is going to have sex again, he should make sure to wipe his penis and urinate first. This will help to flush any sperm out of the urethra.

Withdrawal is not a very effective method of contraception for the following reasons:

  1. A guy practising withdrawal needs to really know his body as he needs to be able to predict the exact moment that he will ejaculate (or cum). If he can't do this, it's very possible that he won't pull out his penis in time and unplanned pregnancy may occur. This is why this method isn't recommended
  2. It is possible for a girl to become pregnant even if withdrawal is performed correctly. Pre-ejaculate, or pre-cum, is the liquid that seeps from the tip of the penis before a guy ejaculates. The pre-ejaculate doesn't contain sperm, but it can pick up sperm from a previous ejaculation as it passes through the urethra (the tube that runs through the penis). The pre-ejaculate could also pick up an STI. All guys seep pre-ejaculate, whether they know it or not.

Advantages

  • Can be used when no other method of contraception is available.
  • No medical or hormonal side effects.
  • You don't need a prescription.
  • Free.

Disadvantages

  • High risk of withdrawing incorrectly and causing unplanned pregnancy.
  • No protection from STIs.

Remember that withdrawal:

  • requires a lot of self-control, experience, and trust
  • is not a good method for a guy who tends to cum too fast
  • is not a good method for a guy who can't always tell when he needs to pull out
  • is not a good method for a woman who doesn't know her sex partner very well
  • is not an effective way to prevent pregnancy.

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