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Male condom vs Withdrawal or pull out method

Male condom

Want to switch birth control?

Withdrawal or pull out method

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 4.5

4 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

87% - 98%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.8

6 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

80% - 96%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Male condom ingredients

Male condoms are thin latex or polyurethane sheaths that are worn on the penis during sex.

Withdrawal or pull out method ingredients

The withdrawal method (also known as the pull out method) relies on the penis being all the way out of the vagina before ejaculation and ejaculation occurring away from the vagina or vulva.

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

50% no impact on mood

Bleeds

50% no change

Sex drive

75% no impact

Weight

100% no impact

Skin

50% improved skin

Cycle return

Not enough data to say

Mood

50% no impact on mood

Bleeds

67% no change

Sex drive

50% no impact

Weight

83% no impact

Skin

83% no impact on skin

Cycle return

Not enough data to say

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Protects against STDs

Non-hormonal

There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this birth control

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Try it now

Want to switch birth control?

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Male condom reviews

4 reviews

Male condom  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago
Male condom  

Read more

Improved skin

1 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1st Jan 25
Male condom  

No changes

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  29th Dec 24
Male condom  

Overall it's been great, but remembering a pill at a specific time is challenging for me

Read more

Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago
Male condom  

Read more

Improved skin

1 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1st Jan 25
Male condom  

No changes

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  29th Dec 24
Male condom  

Overall it's been great, but remembering a pill at a specific time is challenging for me

Read more

Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method reviews

6 reviews

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago
Withdrawal or pull out method  

I don't recommend going multiple rounds. Otherwise, seemed pretty effective.

Read more

Increased sex drive

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Sep 24
Withdrawal or pull out method  

Annoying to have to fuss with putting the condom on, and I don’t enjoy the change in sensation while using a condom. But I feel protected against pregnancy. I occasionally rely on pull out method, and the anxiety over my partner accidentally not timing this correctly (ie not pulling out soon enough) negatively affects my sexual experience.

Read more

Very positive mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Jun 24
Withdrawal or pull out method  

Still can get pregnant with pull out method or anal

Read more

Very negative mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago
Withdrawal or pull out method  

I don't recommend going multiple rounds. Otherwise, seemed pretty effective.

Read more

Increased sex drive

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Sep 24
Withdrawal or pull out method  

Annoying to have to fuss with putting the condom on, and I don’t enjoy the change in sensation while using a condom. But I feel protected against pregnancy. I occasionally rely on pull out method, and the anxiety over my partner accidentally not timing this correctly (ie not pulling out soon enough) negatively affects my sexual experience.

Read more

Very positive mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Jun 24
Withdrawal or pull out method  

Still can get pregnant with pull out method or anal

Read more

Very negative mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th May 24
Withdrawal or pull out method  

I get pretty sick on the pill and with same partner 3.5 yrs no issues but recognize not most effective practice.

Read more

Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Mar 24
Withdrawal or pull out method  

It worked but I was terrified I was pregnant until I got my period. I had no sex drive because of this and was incredibly stressed. It worsened my mood as well.

Read more

Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  26th Feb 24
Withdrawal or pull out method  

No side effects

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Male condom with other birth control

Compare the Withdrawal or pull out method with other birth control

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