Pull out method. Does it work?

[Brandye]

The subject of withdrawal and contents of cowper's fluid is covered extensively on other threads from over the years. Sometimes practical advice trumps scientific precision.

Pozzolane is correct in identifying cowper's fluid as being from the glands of the same name and, therefore, not transmitting sperm. The male genito-urinary system always has sperm lurking around, more so during sexual arousal. If a microscopic examination is done of Cowper's fluid, it may or may not contain sperm.

Cowper's fluid is produced shortly before ejaculation and is preparing the urethra for the transmittal of the semen. The current theory is that it is a lubrican to ease the movement of the semen. The older theory that it adjusted the acidity of the urethra to protect the sperm is no longer generally accepted. Because of its purpose, the timing is usually close to ejaculation. At that point, there is likely to be some semen, with sperm, already escaped from the prostate increasing the likelihood of sperm being delivered with the Cowper's fluid.

A sixteen year old woman probably would have difficulty explaining, "Mum, it was just Cowper's fluid; the pregnancy should not count!"

I return to advice stated so often: If you both have your pants off, there should be a condom on the penis and spermicide in the vagina.

[rdan05]

Originally Posted by bud1975

Hi,
I hear different numbers on this method. I would like to have a child, but not at the risk of my girlfriends health. She has three children and two were high risk and she had complacations with all three. So, for that reason I would not want to get her pregnant. Hopefully we will have some spare money so she can start on birth control, but some has given her problems in the past. Right now I am not sure if I will continue this method. The plastic condoms are terrible and lamb skin is better but 40.00 for 12 condoms is way too much and I can't afford them at this time.
I would like to hear any couples that use this method. Thanks for the reply.

bud1975

For some info look here as well:

http://www.questia.com/googleScholar...cId=5006614106

If she is a high risk using withdrawal alone, no condoms, no additional birth control will result at year end with a high rate of pregnancy if performed properly. If not performed properly, the rates increase.

Overall generally stated is 1 of 4 or 1 of 3 women will become pregnant if done perfectly with this method alone.

Many people who are married and a child not being a life hazard use this method since it's used "not minding if you accidentally become pregnant" similarly seen with ovulation prediction methods. Often, women do fall pregnant yet were ready for parenthood, they were just holding off for a time frame or ended a long term birth control method and wanted children.

The cost of condoms is nothing compared to having and raising your own child.

[RAM MD]

The pull out method isn't a safe form of birth control at all. There are sometimes considerable amounts of sperm in the pre-ejaculatory fluid that is secreted to fuel the sperm.

[Brandye]

"fuel the sperm?" What are you talking about? Semen has the necessary nutrients and the secretions of the Cowper's gland just lubricate the tracks.

[RAM MD]

Damn..
You want to get down to the pathophysiology of semen. First of all, the Cowper's gland is a relatively outdated term for the bulbourethral glands. I know what each of the glands in the male reproductive tract produce and the relative function of each. I was just generalizing about semen and the fact that pre-ejaculate can contain sperm in sufficient amounts to get someone pregnant. You refer to the Cowper's gland, I know its function is to lubricate the male reproductive tract but it makes up only 2-5% of semen volume and yes the fructose released by the seminal vessicles is an essential nutrient that provides energy for sperm motility. I have also seen a lot of poor information you have presented on various topics but haven't found the need to beat you up for it. I'm using general terms on here as most of the posters probably don't have the medical terminology and background to wade through a bunch of medical jargon. They are looking for answers, not something you are looking up out of a medical text!

[RAM MD]

PS What kind of physician are you?
I'm not an OB?GYN or Urologist but I do practice Emergency/Family medicine and do have a small amount of insight regarding sex and related issues!

[Brandye]

Let us see. Yes, you joined the Board yesterday. Welcome. Pathophysiology of semen?

[funinthesun]

Originally Posted by RAM MD

Damn..
You want to get down to the pathophysiology of semen.

Just going off latin roots here. but doesn't pathophysiology refer to diseases of, and not just the physiology?

[sera300]

Originally Posted by RAM MD

PS What kind of physician are you?
I'm not an OB?GYN or Urologist but I do practice Emergency/Family medicine and do have a small amount of insight regarding sex and related issues!

Ah, ER & Trauma mixed with a bit of F.P. in the US. Same area as myself. I only found one area on posting to be more cautious on Brandye initially; Birth Control Methods. Why the discrepancy in numeric figures? Drug Companies post a given failure rate during controlled trial periods. Her figures appear more representative of real life seen in an ER and I chose to err on caution in this area of the US.

MRSA? Must be rampant in Georgia if treating cysts for such. I assume we are fortunate since here in NY since C&S of drainage have been negative. More of an issue in urine in the elderly from nursing homes with long term foley's.

I have not found discrepancy's in medical information merly differences in Health Care delivery from Scotland with the NHS & Health care insurance practices and subsequent fallout in the US. Anyhoo...

[pozzolane]

Originally Posted by RAM MD

Damn..
You want to get down to the pathophysiology of semen. First of all, the Cowper's gland is a relatively outdated term for the bulbourethral glands. I know what each of the glands in the male reproductive tract produce and the relative function of each. I was just generalizing about semen and the fact that pre-ejaculate can contain sperm in sufficient amounts to get someone pregnant. You refer to the Cowper's gland, I know its function is to lubricate the male reproductive tract but it makes up only 2-5% of semen volume and yes the fructose released by the seminal vessicles is an essential nutrient that provides energy for sperm motility. I have also seen a lot of poor information you have presented on various topics but haven't found the need to beat you up for it. I'm using general terms on here as most of the posters probably don't have the medical terminology and background to wade through a bunch of medical jargon. They are looking for answers, not something you are looking up out of a medical text!

You practice medicine? Well, you're definitely not a linguistic surgeon. I raised an eyebrow myself when I saw your sloppy writing; "There are sometimes considerable amounts of sperm in the pre-ejaculatory fluid that is secreted to fuel the sperm."

There is sperm that fuels sperm?!

For a self proclaimed practitioner, you should know that there is no sperm in Cowper's fluid. Just like there is no sperm in urine. It's "left-over" sperm residing in the urethra from a (recent) previous ejaculation.

There have been known to be sperm in a man's urine following ejaculation. But does that mean we should start saying that urine contains sperm?

Furthermore, funinthesun is correct in identifying your incorrect usage of the term "pathophysiology".

The more I think about it, the more I'm certain you are a young boy with decent googleing and wikipedia skills masquerading as a family doctor. Let me warn you that that is a dangerous game. And a highly unethical one.