Compare
Fertility Awareness vs Withdrawal
A side-by-side comparison of two birth control methods — efficacy, cost, how they work, and who shouldn't use them.
Last verified Updated
Side-by-side comparison
- Fertility Awareness Tracking body signs like temperature and cervical mucus to identify fertile days and avoid unprotected sex then.
- Withdrawal The man withdraws his penis from the vagina before ejaculation to reduce the chance of sperm reaching the egg.
| Method | Fertility Awareness Tracking body signs like temperature and cervical mucus to identify fertile days and avoid unprotected sex then. | Withdrawal The man withdraws his penis from the vagina before ejaculation to reduce the chance of sperm reaching the egg. |
|---|---|---|
| Efficacy | Fertility Awareness Least effective | Withdrawal 80% typical use Least effective: under 90 out of 100 people successfully prevent pregnancy per year. |
| Cost | Fertility Awareness $0–$20 Insurance: Varies | Withdrawal $0 |
| Duration | Fertility Awareness Ongoing daily tracking | Withdrawal Per act |
| Reversibility | Fertility Awareness Reversible | Withdrawal Reversible |
| STI protection | Fertility Awareness No | Withdrawal No |
| How it works | Fertility Awareness Track basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and cycle length to identify the fertile window. Avoid unprotected sex or use backup contraception on fertile days. | Withdrawal The man withdraws his penis from the vagina before ejaculation to keep semen out of the vagina. Pre-ejaculate may contain some sperm. A 2024 pilot study found sperm in about 13% of pre-ejaculate samples, though roughly 75% of participants had no sperm in any sample. |
| Prescription | Fertility Awareness Not required Self-Directed | Withdrawal Not required Self-Directed |
| Who shouldn't use this | Fertility Awareness
| Withdrawal
|
Key differences
How long it lasts: Fertility Awareness, ongoing daily tracking; Withdrawal, per act. Fertility Awareness: costs $0–$20. Withdrawal: costs $0.