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Interrupted sexual intercourse - effectiveness and harms
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025

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Coitus interruptus is a method of contraception that involves withdrawing the penis from the vagina before ejaculation occurs. This method is used to prevent conception and is the oldest method of contraception.
This method has several advantages - it is accessible and easy to use. Unlike other methods of contraception, additional means and mechanical devices are not required.
However, it is important to remember that in order for the chosen method of contraception to be effective, you need to follow several rules:
- avoid ejaculation into the vaginal cavity;
- prevent sperm from coming into contact with female genitalia;
- Use spermicidal lubricant before intercourse.
And of course, you shouldn't rely entirely on the chosen method - it's better to combine it with other methods of contraception (for example, let your partner use oral contraceptives at the same time). In addition, the designated method will not eliminate the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections. Therefore, it is better to choose this method for those who are confident in their sexual partner and do not exclude the possibility of an unplanned pregnancy.
Is it possible to interrupt sexual intercourse?
Is it possible to interrupt sexual intercourse or not? Not all couples who do not want to have a child and want to protect themselves from unplanned pregnancy think about this question. In fact, interrupted sexual intercourse, as a method of contraception, has the least effectiveness.
It is impossible to fully control the physiological process of ejaculation, so even with a quick reaction, a small amount of seminal fluid with active spermatozoa enters the vagina. This may be enough to fertilize the egg.
However, from the point of view of sexologists and psychologists, interrupted sexual intercourse harms not only sexual health, but also physical health. By an effort of will, a man not only interrupts sexual intercourse and deprives it of a logical conclusion, but also inhibits sexual arousal. In turn, this affects the state of the nervous system, leading to premature ejaculation, and also causes stagnation of blood in the pelvic organs, which has a pathological effect on the genitourinary system.
Of course, the question of whether it is possible to interrupt sexual intercourse or it is better to abstain from this method of contraception is up to the sexual partners to decide, but it is worth listening to the opinion of qualified doctors and worrying about your sexual, psychological and physical health. There are many contraceptives, the use of which will not deprive partners of natural sensations and will not harm the body (for example, vaginal suppositories based on spermicidal drugs).
Protection by coitus interruptus
Coitus interruptus is only 70-80% effective. A small amount of sperm is released at the very beginning of intercourse, and this amount may be enough for fertilization to occur. A man cannot control this process. However, the method of coitus interruptus, in addition to the lack of additional costs, also has several significant disadvantages:
- high probability of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
- If a man's previous sexual intercourse was less than 24 hours ago, then viable spermatozoa in the urethra of the penis can penetrate into the vagina and lead to an unwanted pregnancy.
- decreased sexual desire in partners.
Coitus interruptus may not be effective if:
- The man experienced a premature eruption.
- It is difficult for a man to control himself.
- An unplanned pregnancy can have a negative impact on a woman's health.
Protection by interrupted sexual intercourse should be carried out with full consent of the partners, taking into account all possible consequences. In order for this method to be more effective, it is better to combine it with other types of contraception (oral contraceptives, spermicidal suppositories, lubricant).
Is coitus interruptus harmful?
Whether interrupted sexual intercourse is harmful has not been reliably confirmed. But, despite the many disagreements around this issue, more than 70% of men use this method. This is the simplest and most accessible method of emergency contraception. Its essence is to remove the penis from the vagina at the moment of ejaculation, thereby preventing the penetration of sperm. However, there are many strong beliefs proving the ineffectiveness and even harm of this method.
- The probability of pregnancy is high – from 15 to 50%.
- Regular use can provoke sexual dysfunction, impotence and inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs in women.
- Constant tension and control over the process of sexual intercourse leads to disorders of the central nervous system.
- A woman gets maximum arousal at the moment of ejaculation and this helps to achieve orgasm, but this is not the case with interrupted intercourse.
- Without feeling the release of sperm, a woman does not complete sexual intercourse fully. At this moment, her body does not produce prostaglandins, which are what keep the body in good shape. In the future, the deficiency of this biologically active substance leads to nervous breakdowns, the woman is not able to experience an orgasm, which is why intimate and family life suffers disharmony.
Is it possible to get pregnant with interrupted intercourse?
Is it possible to get pregnant with interrupted intercourse? This question torments many girls. Even with a wide choice of contraceptives of different effects, most couples use the method of interrupted intercourse. Despite age categories and other distinctive features, up to 80% of couples prefer this method. When choosing the method of interrupted intercourse, not everyone thinks about the consequences of their choice, including the possibility of getting pregnant.
Such frivolity has no justification, because it is in the case of interrupted sexual intercourse that most unwanted pregnancies occur. Physiologically, a man's body is designed in such a way that sperm is released in small portions during the entire sexual intercourse, and not only at the peak of ejaculation. Even a small amount of spermatozoa is enough for pregnancy to occur. The final result, of course, depends on their vitality and mobility, but this does not reduce the degree of risk.
There are cases when a couple uses this method of contraception for quite a long time, but pregnancy does not occur, then this indicates a pathology of the reproductive system.
You shouldn't hope that interrupted intercourse will prevent pregnancy. It is much more convenient and beneficial to consult a doctor and choose the most suitable method of contraception that will not affect your health.
Chances of getting pregnant with coitus interruptus
The probability of getting pregnant with interrupted intercourse can reach 50%. The fact that the entire volume of semen does not penetrate the vagina does not mean that the woman will not get pregnant. Usually, this question is of interest to teenagers and women who are not too concerned about the health of their partner and their own.
The high cost of contraceptives does not affect the choice of method of protection. Even a teenager can afford to buy condoms, and the price of oral contraceptives is quite affordable. Therefore, the price factor does not justify such a risky method as interrupted sexual intercourse.
The effectiveness and reliability of this method of contraception is negligible. Many people mistakenly believe that spermatozoa are ejected only with semen at the moment of ejaculation. This is not true at all. Throughout the sexual act, spermatozoa enter the vagina together with lubricant and pre-ejaculatory fluid. If sexual intercourse occurs during ovulation and both partners are healthy, then there is a very high probability of pregnancy.
You can calculate the days of expected ovulation and abstain from sex during this period of time, but this method will not give a high guarantee either, since the menstrual cycle is individual for each woman and can change under the influence of various factors. To increase the effectiveness of the interrupted sexual intercourse method, you should consult a doctor and choose the most suitable contraceptives for a specific age and lifestyle.
Effectiveness of coitus interruptus
The effectiveness of coitus interruptus in practice is not very high, but rather the opposite - almost a third of couples who practice this method become parents. Approximately every fourth woman becomes pregnant. The only exceptions are those couples who use additional contraception along with the method of coitus interruptus.
The main group is teenagers – they are not so experienced and cannot control themselves. About 30% of all cases of unwanted pregnancy occur in this age group. The reason is inexperience, lack of sexual education and will. This is where the large percentage of unwanted pregnancies, abortions, and related diseases comes from. The method of interrupted sexual intercourse will not protect against sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS.
Many young girls and boys believe that it is impossible to get pregnant during the first sexual experience. It is a mistaken assumption that spermatozoa are ejected only with semen at the moment of ejaculation. Throughout the sexual act, spermatozoa enter the vagina together with lubricant and pre-ejaculatory fluid. This is a completely unfounded assumption, and if both partners are healthy, even one drop of seminal fluid will be enough for conception to occur.
Coitus interruptus for men
Coitus interruptus is extremely harmful for men. The state of constant tension and control requires considerable mental strength and can lead to disappointing consequences.
When in a highly excited state, a man needs to make a lot of effort to switch over and control the process. Not only does the nervous system quickly wear out due to such a stressful state, but the tone of the blood vessels of the penis also decreases. Microscopic vessels of the penis burst due to inconstant pressure, nodes and adhesions are formed, and ultimately, erection is impaired. Gradually, this leads to potency disorders and premature ejaculation.
From a psychological point of view, interrupted sexual intercourse is pathological for a man and is more harmful not only to men's but also to women's health. He does not receive the full range of sensations, as he is under control and stress all the time. Because of this, mental disorders are often observed, provoking physical illnesses. In order for the interrupted sexual intercourse method to be more effective, i.e. it is better to combine it with other types of contraception (oral contraceptives, spermicidal suppositories, lubricant).
Consequences of interrupted sexual intercourse
The consequences of interrupted sexual intercourse can be different - unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, disorders of the central nervous system, disorders of the sexual sphere, inflammatory processes of the pelvic organs.
- Even an experienced man cannot control the release of pre-seminal fluid, which contains a certain amount of active sperm. If interrupted intercourse occurs on the days of ovulation, then the probability of fertilization is maximum.
- Over time, the natural mechanism of sexual relations is disrupted. Over time, women develop coldness and indifference to men, and the opposite sex has a high risk of developing impotence, and sexual desire decreases.
- In no case should you use this method of contraception for casual sexual intercourse - this increases the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease.
- If the interrupted sexual intercourse method does not lead to pregnancy for a long time, then this indicates a factor of infertility. In this case, it is worth getting examined by doctors and taking the necessary tests.
The consequences of interrupted intercourse do not justify its frequent use, so it is better to either refuse this method of contraception or select contraceptives individually.
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The Harm of Coitus Interruptus
The harm of interrupted intercourse is much greater than it seems - this most common type of contraception among young people is ineffective and causes associated complications.
First of all, the physiological system of ejaculation is disrupted - normally, sperm is ejected reflexively, without the man's volitional participation. By interrupting sexual intercourse and ejaculating outside the woman's genitals, the man blocks arousal by an effort of will, thereby disrupting the processes of inhibition and excitation of the nervous system. This leads to damage to the central nervous system, neuroses, dysfunction of organs and systems, premature ejaculation and impotence.
Due to insufficient blood flow, trophic changes begin in the body of the genital organ. At this stage, there is a high risk of developing infections and non-specific inflammation of the prostate, leading to its hypertrophy and ultimately to prostatitis.
The harm of interrupted sexual intercourse is experienced not only by the man, but also by the woman. The woman gets maximum arousal at the moment of sperm release and this helps to achieve orgasm, but this is not the case with interrupted sexual intercourse. Without feeling the release of sperm, the woman does not complete the sexual intercourse fully. At this moment, her body does not produce prostaglandins, which are what keep the body in good shape. In the future, the deficiency of this biologically active substance leads to nervous breakdowns and sexual pathologies.
Disadvantages of Interrupted Sex
The disadvantages of coitus interruptus far outweigh the advantages. The essence of this oldest method of contraception is to withdraw the penis from the vagina until the moment of ejaculation.
- Perhaps the main disadvantage is the high chance of getting pregnant. The highest rates of unwanted pregnancies are among young couples and teenagers – they cannot yet control their emotions and desires, and do not use additional methods of contraception. It is impossible to fully control the physiological process of ejaculation, so even with a quick reaction, a small amount of seminal fluid with active spermatozoa gets into the vagina. This may be enough to fertilize the egg.
- The second disadvantage is the risk of catching a venereal disease. The interrupted sexual intercourse method is relevant when the partners are confident in each other.
- The third disadvantage is the gradual development of sexual dysfunction in men and the occurrence of inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs. Due to blood stagnation in the genitals, a number of trophic processes are disrupted, and this is fraught with the development of hypertrophy of the prostate gland and its inflammation, which lead to sexual impotence.
Fortunately, at an early stage this process can be treated and male sexual function can be restored, but first of all, it is worth giving up the method of interrupted intercourse and choosing an individual method of contraception.