How Effective Is Birth Control Pills Without Pulling Out

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Fingers crossed y'all already know that wearing two condoms at once is never a proficient idea—merely what about doubling up on ii other kinds of birth control options? You lot might be surprised to acquire that many women are combining the pull-out method with other forms of birth control during sex, according to a new study published in the journal Contraception.

Researchers surveyed three,276 women about their methods of birth control inside the past xxx days of the experiment. They constitute that 77 pct of women said they used a combination of the withdrawal method and highly constructive nascency command (such every bit the Pill) simultaneously. Study authors hypothesize that these women were trying to "doubly protect" themselves against unintended pregnancy.

MORE: Why Are People Even so Using The Pull-Out Method of Birth Control?

Sorry to burst your bubble, just there'southward admittedly no way to tell if combining these two forms of nascency control will actually increase your pregnancy protection. While information technology'south possible it may offer a little more protection than the Pill lone, your primary method (similar the Pill, the IUD, etc.) is really doing most of the work, says ob-gyn Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., clinical professor at the Yale School of Medicine.

More: A New Birth Control Method Prevents Pregnancy AND STDs

And if you think pulling out will protect you confronting STDs when combined with hormonal contraception, think again. A guy'due south pre-ejaculate contains sperm and can be released long before he pulls out, which is merely enough to pass forth a affliction. "The showtime drop of seminal fluid has the nigh concentration for sperm," says Minkin. So fifty-fifty if a guy finishes elsewhere, he's already released several one thousand thousand sperm." Not to mention that some STDs (similar herpes and HPV) are spread through pare-to-skin contact lone.

If you really want to "double up"—meaning slash your adventure of pregnancy and STDs—you can employ hormonal contraception like the Pill, the ring or the IUD with a rubber, says Minkin. While all options protect against unplanned pregnancy, the condom is an constructive method to prevent STD transmission. For more demand-to-know facts most nativity control and your options, head to our birth control FAQs.

MORE: x Nascency Command Myths—Debunked!

Kenny Thapoung Social Media Editor When I'g not stalking future-but-never-going-to-happen husbands on Facebook, you tin can catch me eating at one of NYC'due south B-rated or below dining establishments—A-rated restaurants are for nuts.