The Lowdown, a Vira Health company
UKUS
The Lowdown, a Vira Health company
Homepage > Contraceptives > Compare > Withdrawal or pull out method vs Male condom

Withdrawal or pull out method vs Male condom

Withdrawal or pull out method

Want to switch birth control?

Male condom

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.6

11 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

80% - 96%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 4.0

6 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

87% - 98%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

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.

Male condom ingredients

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

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

46% no impact on mood

Bleeds

46% no change

Sex drive

46% no impact

Weight

55% no impact

Skin

82% no impact on skin

Cycle return

Not enough data to say

Mood

33% no impact on mood

Bleeds

33% irregular periods

Sex drive

83% no impact

Weight

83% no impact

Skin

67% no impact on skin

Cycle return

Not enough data to say

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

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

Protects against STDs

Non-hormonal

Try it now

Want to switch birth control?

Try it now

Want to switch birth control?

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Withdrawal or pull out method reviews

11 reviews

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th May 26
Withdrawal or pull out method  

its stressful for me

Read more

Increased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Apr 26
Withdrawal or pull out method  

None

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Jan 26
Withdrawal or pull out method  

I was on a iud for 9 years for endo

Read more

Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th May 26
Withdrawal or pull out method  

its stressful for me

Read more

Increased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Apr 26
Withdrawal or pull out method  

None

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Jan 26
Withdrawal or pull out method  

I was on a iud for 9 years for endo

Read more

Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom reviews

6 reviews

Male condom  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago
Male condom  

I have been on the pill for over a year; I don’t really have periods, but other than that I don’t have side effects.

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  14th Jul 25
Male condom  

I don’t know what it is, but I’ve had an insane allergic reaction due to these condoms :( very sad

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Apr 25
Male condom  

Read more

Improved skin

1 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago
Male condom  

I have been on the pill for over a year; I don’t really have periods, but other than that I don’t have side effects.

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  14th Jul 25
Male condom  

I don’t know what it is, but I’ve had an insane allergic reaction due to these condoms :( very sad

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Apr 25
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 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Sep 24
Male condom  

Condoms did not change any part of my period for me, no side effects of using this form of contraceptive and it has been effective in avoiding pregnancy as well as STDs.

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Withdrawal or pull out method with other birth control

Compare the Male condom with other birth control

Don’t keep it on the DL.Put it on the LD.

Slide into our DMs

hello@thelowdown.com

Sitemap

©The Lowdown 2026