Pregnancy planning is an important and integral part of sexual life. One of the first ways to prevent unwanted pregnancy was coitus interruptus . interruptus ).
From the point of view of nature, every intercourse should end in the conception of a child, but this is not always desirable. Therefore, the first methods of contraception were invented back in those days when people realized that sex after nine months ends with birth. How reliable is this technique, does it have a health hazard, its advantages and disadvantages?
The principle of interrupted intercourse
What is prematurely interrupted sexual intercourse?
This is sexual intercourse in which ejaculation does not occur in the woman’s vagina. That is, a man, feeling the approach of orgasm and ejaculation, simply removes his penis from a woman a few seconds before ejaculation. Impulses in the intimate organ testify to its onset: they are sent by contracting muscles that push the sperm out of the testes, moving it along the vas deferens.
The task of a man is to feel the moment when the sperm is ready to escape from the urethra, to have time to extract the organ from the partner.
According to statistics, about 70% of couples practice this method of preventing pregnancy. This is explained by its simplicity and affordability.
Is PPA related to contraception?
From the point of view of medicine, two factors are embedded in the concept of contraception:
- protection against unwanted pregnancy;
- sexually transmitted diseases.
If the PPA method can (albeit not with the highest reliability) prevent the likelihood of becoming pregnant, then it cannot destroy viruses or bacteria or prevent their penetration.
Efficiency – this criterion also leaves much to be desired. Practice shows that every fourth woman has a pregnancy after interrupted sexual intercourse. It’s not even that the guy was careless or could not extract the intimate organ in time, but in male physiology:
- A small amount of seminal fluid is released long before the onset of ejaculation.
- This lubricant cleans the urethra, preparing a sterile pathway for semen.
- The number of spermatozoa in it is small, but the likelihood that one of them enters the uterus and “waits” for an egg there remains.
- Lubrication continues to be released during intercourse, when the head of the penis is in close proximity to the partner’s cervical canal, which also increases the risk of conception.
Spermatozoa retain their activity and mobility in the fallopian tubes for up to 7 days, so the probability of a woman becoming pregnant with interrupted intercourse is not much lower than with an ordinary one.
The withdrawal method may not work in the following situations:
- several PPAs in a row: sperm remains in the head, which, the next time the penis is inserted into the woman, immediately appears at the entrance to the uterus;
- low level of self-control in a man: young age, disturbed psycho-emotional health, mental disorders;
- spermatorrhea (semen incontinence);
- ovulation period.
Side effects of impaired coitus
Many couples are worried – is it possible to interrupt sexual intercourse? PPA side effects – what are they? These are physiological or psychological consequences for the body of a guy and a girl, which threatens to interrupt an intimate act. The first ones include:
- The
risk of contracting an STD.
- Any intimate contact without a barrier contraceptive (condom) leads to the exchange of microflora. Therefore, viruses, bacteria, fungi easily penetrate the partner’s mucous membranes.
- Avoiding the consequences is simple – use PPA as a protection against pregnancy only after both partners have undergone a full medical examination, cured all infectious diseases;
- Lack
of sexual and moral satisfaction in a girl.
- Usually the moment of extraction of the penis from the vagina falls on the beginning of the partner’s orgasm, which does not at all contribute to its vivid manifestation.
- A man’s concern about how not to miss a crucial moment negates all romance;
- The
development of frigidity in women.
- A psychological block arising from the reaction of a partner to possible paternity: a man is not ready for the appearance of an heir, but does not want to use other means of contraception.
- Women know that it is possible to get pregnant even if the intercourse is interrupted correctly, they begin to fear undesirable consequences. The result is psycho-emotional discomfort, which affects the lady’s sexual health;
- Myoma
of the uterus.
- The development of a benign tumor is promoted by hormonal imbalance, which also occurs in the absence of a normal orgasm, disturbed by the early removal of a penis from the vagina.
Mental health problems are also not uncommon. The thought of a possible pregnancy, especially if “half-protected” sex fell on dangerous days, does not allow a woman to completely relax, discard negative thoughts, and enjoy the process.
A man feels the same psychological discomfort – he has to control himself all the time. The result is a lack of unity and intimacy in relationships. If conception does take place, the pregnancy will have to be terminated, the relationship of the couple is unlikely to last, because. usually ladies blame the careless, not too responsible partner for what happened, for whose carelessness they pay with their health.
Pros and cons of interrupted intercourse
Interrupted intercourse remains a popular method of protection against unexpected pregnancy. There are reasons for this too:
- Availability
This is the only “contraceptive” that does not need to be bought, put on, inserted, etc. Every couple can use it (or at least try to do it), and in the case of spontaneous sex, it is indispensable. Therefore, it is common among teenagers or strong married couples: the former do not have extra money for condoms, and the latter are not afraid of the possibility of getting pregnant.
Although PPA does not have a high contraceptive power, this method of preventing conception is better than none at all.
- Absence of components harmful to health.
Unlike hormonal contraceptives, spirals, lubricants, vaginal tablets, it has no side effects, contraindications. With the exception of an allergy to sperm, in which an intimate life is generally prohibited.
- Increased sensations from sex.
A condom reduces the sensitivity of the glans penis, interrupted coitus allows you to feel the joy of intimate relationships.
The disadvantages that both partners should remember are considered low efficiency. But this factor can also be increased if it is slightly supplemented with related contraceptive methods:
- You can combine PPA with a calendar method: with a regular menstrual cycle, a girl calculates favorable days for conception. Usually it is 6 days before ovulation and 3 days after, and the release of the egg itself occurs on the 13-14th day of the cycle. During this period, it is better to have sex with a condom or use spermicidal lubricants, vaginal tablets ( Farmateks, Erotex , Conceprol ). Leave the less secure method of protection for safe days.
- Carry out hygiene procedures after each intercourse. Thoroughly wash off the remnants of sperm from the genitals, since during subsequent coitus, spermatozoa can easily enter the woman’s body. A small amount of semen still remains in the urethra, so it will not be possible to achieve complete cleansing.
Do not practice PPA all the time – the body gets used to this method of intimate contact, the man begins to face the fact that he cannot ejaculate while the penis is in the vagina. This is the first step towards the development of psychological blocks.
The most unpleasant consequence of PPA is a violation of the health of the prostate gland: according to medical statistics, more than half of the men who practiced interrupted intimate intercourse developed prostatitis at a young age.
Myths about coitus interruptus
Since interrupted intercourse is not among the preferred methods of contraception approved by medicine, it is shrouded in myths and speculation. More than half of couples have used this method at least once in their lives to protect against an unplanned pregnancy, but few people know about all its features.
Myth 1. PPA is not able to protect against conception at all.
- This statement is based on the fact that the lubricant contains spermatozoa and is released before ejaculation, which means that the path for livestock remains open. This is true, but before getting into the uterus, the sperm must overcome the mucus of the cervical canal, and this is difficult.
- Usually, fertilization does not occur due to lubrication, but because the man simply “did not have time.” It is very difficult to control an approaching orgasm, and even experienced guys sometimes get into a mess, especially if this is preceded by strong sexual arousal, alcohol use, or developing health problems.
Conclusion: it is partly effective, that is, under favorable conditions: sobriety, complete self-control, etc.
Myth 2. If a guy prefers PAP, he is irresponsible.
Another misconception. Often this type of family planning is chosen by couples who are not going to consciously become parents, but in case of a misfire, they will not mind giving birth to a baby. This method will come to the rescue if “you really want it, but there are no other means.” Therefore, it makes no sense to draw a conclusion about the upbringing and moral principles of a partner only on the basis of this situation.
Myth 3. PPA has no advantages, only disadvantages
Yes, a violation of the process laid down by nature leads to problems: physiological or psychological. But there are plenty of advantages to this method of protection:
- It does not contain hormones or harmful substances that can lead to serious illness if taken incorrectly or for too long.
- You don’t need to run to the pharmacy in the middle of the night to get it, it’s free, it doesn’t require training or special skills.
- If the rules are followed, it will protect against pregnancy.
If these arguments are not enough for a couple, seriously discuss the issue of conception planning and choose those methods that will suit both partners.
Alternative contraception
The main factor forcing partners to abandon the condom and resort to PPA is a decrease in the sensation of intercourse. Many are familiar with the phrase “in a condom as in a gas mask – you don’t feel anything.” If the partners are healthy and ready to move on to a closer relationship, and interrupted intercourse is unacceptable for one of the parties, other methods can help.
Spermicidal lubricants and vaginal tablets
- They are applied immediately before sex and slow down the activity of spermatozoa, which prevents them from moving inside the woman’s body.
- The effect is slightly higher than that of PPA (about 70%), but such drugs also act as a means of protection against genital infections.
plasters
- The tool is glued to an inconspicuous area of the body for 7 days, the course is 3 weeks, a break for another 7 days.
- The patch releases small doses of hormones that change the mechanism of ovulation, thereby preventing fertilization.
- The method has contraindications and threatens with side effects, but unlike oral contraceptives, it does not require daily pills.
Intrauterine device
- This method is recommended for couples who already have children and do not plan to become parents again.
- A spiral is installed for 3-5 years, the efficiency is more than 90%.
What should not be resorted to from methods of contraception
folk methods.
- They are based on changing the alkaline environment of the vagina, that is, the introduction of acid: aspirin, lemon juice, etc. This method will slow down the activity of sperm, but it should be used before sex, not after.
- Of the adverse reactions, not only pregnancy (the effectiveness of the methods is not higher than 50%), but also a burn of the vaginal mucosa, the appearance of erosions and wounds. PPA and its questionable efficacy are much safer.
Conclusion
Coitus interruptus (PPA) is not always approved by doctors and is not family planning, but it has many fans. Such trust cannot be a sign of its complete inefficiency. An important condition before starting his practice is to know that everyone is healthy and will be ready to bear the responsibility for the emerging small life.