You are right: the "first drops" that you refer to are the pre-ejaculate on a man's penis, and can contain sperm.
I do not see this as a question of "gaining legitimacy", as this method (with a name I love: "coitus interruptus") is likely one of the first forms of birth control ever used and nothing has changed: the techniques are the same, as well as the low success rates (20-27% of women will have an unintended pregnancy within first year with this method when used alone). Pre-ejaculate can cause a pregnancy and the "typical use" of this method is more common than "perfect use".
The success rates for birth control methods are tricky when only referring to the percentages, as "perfect use" and "typical use" are not equal when discussing the various types of birth control. Some methods are easier to obtain "perfect use" (birth control pill taken once per month) whereas another method (withdrawal) is more likely to only have "typical use" as its ultimate measurement, as this takes consistent concentration, timing and other skills each and every time with intercourse. I believe we have a responsibility to refer to birth control methods with their more probably "typical use" rates, rather than their "perfect use" rate: human behavior is rarely "perfect", and can be harmful to suggest otherwise.
For couples who are sexually experienced with each other and have a mature relationship: the man knows when he is about to ejaculate, he does not usually ejaculate "early" or "too fast", he is able to pull-out in time, each and every time, and there is much communication and trust between the couple...all of these factors can equate to withdrawal as a birth control method that may prove to be effective. This method is not recommended to be used alone (without additional protection, such as a condom) for men who are in their teens, or for couples who are not mutually monogamous for a long period of time.
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Thanks for your reply.
You are right: the "first drops" that you refer to are the pre-ejaculate on a man's penis, and can contain sperm.
I do not see this as a question of "gaining legitimacy", as this method (with a name I love: "coitus interruptus") is likely one of the first forms of birth control ever used and nothing has changed: the techniques are the same, as well as the low success rates (20-27% of women will have an unintended pregnancy within first year with this method when used alone). Pre-ejaculate can cause a pregnancy and the "typical use" of this method is more common than "perfect use".
The success rates for birth control methods are tricky when only referring to the percentages, as "perfect use" and "typical use" are not equal when discussing the various types of birth control. Some methods are easier to obtain "perfect use" (birth control pill taken once per month) whereas another method (withdrawal) is more likely to only have "typical use" as its ultimate measurement, as this takes consistent concentration, timing and other skills each and every time with intercourse. I believe we have a responsibility to refer to birth control methods with their more probably "typical use" rates, rather than their "perfect use" rate: human behavior is rarely "perfect", and can be harmful to suggest otherwise.
For couples who are sexually experienced with each other and have a mature relationship: the man knows when he is about to ejaculate, he does not usually ejaculate "early" or "too fast", he is able to pull-out in time, each and every time, and there is much communication and trust between the couple...all of these factors can equate to withdrawal as a birth control method that may prove to be effective. This method is not recommended to be used alone (without additional protection, such as a condom) for men who are in their teens, or for couples who are not mutually monogamous for a long period of time.
June 21, 2009 - 5:34amThis Comment
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