The chances of pregnancy are significant if he pulls out and then puts it back in, even if it's just for a short time. This is because pre-ejaculate (pre-cum) can contain sperm.
Here's a breakdown:
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Why it's risky: Even if the male partner withdraws before ejaculation, pre-ejaculate can leak from the penis before full ejaculation. This fluid may contain sperm, which can lead to pregnancy.
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Effectiveness of the Pull-Out Method (Typical Use): The pull-out method, also known as withdrawal, is not a very reliable form of birth control. While perfect use has a failure rate of around 4%, typical use is much less effective.
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Typical Use Pregnancy Rate: In real-world scenarios, about 18 to 28 out of 100 couples who rely on the pull-out method for birth control will get pregnant within a year. This high failure rate is due to factors like inconsistent use and the presence of sperm in pre-ejaculate.
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The Danger of "Putting it Back In": Re-insertion after withdrawal increases the risk further. Any sperm remaining on the penis or in the urethra from previous ejaculation (even from hours or days before) or from pre-ejaculate can be deposited into the vagina.
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Important Considerations:
- Sperm Viability: Sperm can remain viable for several days inside the female reproductive tract.
- Inconsistent Use: Human error plays a large role in the failure rate of the withdrawal method.
- No STI Protection: The pull-out method does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
In summary, relying on withdrawal, especially when re-insertion occurs, is a risky strategy for preventing pregnancy. More reliable methods of contraception should be considered if pregnancy is not desired.
