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Internal Condom vs Withdrawal
A side-by-side comparison of two birth control methods — efficacy, cost, how they work, and who shouldn't use them.
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Side-by-side comparison
- Internal Condom A soft pouch worn inside the vagina that blocks sperm and lowers the risk of STIs, usually obtained with a prescription.
- Withdrawal The man withdraws his penis from the vagina before ejaculation to reduce the chance of sperm reaching the egg.
| Method | Internal Condom A soft pouch worn inside the vagina that blocks sperm and lowers the risk of STIs, usually obtained with a prescription. | Withdrawal The man withdraws his penis from the vagina before ejaculation to reduce the chance of sperm reaching the egg. |
|---|---|---|
| Efficacy | Internal Condom 79% typical use Least effective: under 90 out of 100 people successfully prevent pregnancy per year. | Withdrawal 80% typical use Least effective: under 90 out of 100 people successfully prevent pregnancy per year. |
| Cost | Internal Condom $0–$3 per unit Insurance: Usually | Withdrawal $0 |
| Duration | Internal Condom Single use | Withdrawal Per act |
| Reversibility | Internal Condom Reversible | Withdrawal Reversible |
| STI protection | Internal Condom Yes | Withdrawal No |
| How it works | Internal Condom A soft, loose-fitting nitrile pouch lines the vagina and collects semen. The inner ring anchors it at the cervix and the outer ring stays outside the vaginal opening. | 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 | Internal Condom Required Telehealth Prescription | Withdrawal Not required Self-Directed |
| Side effects | Internal Condom
| Withdrawal None reported |
| Who shouldn't use this | Internal Condom None reported | Withdrawal
|
Key differences
With typical use, 21 in 100 people using Internal Condom get pregnant in a year, vs 20 in 100 with Withdrawal (both least effective). How long it lasts: Internal Condom, single use; Withdrawal, per act. STI protection: only with Internal Condom. A prescription is needed for Internal Condom, not for Withdrawal. Internal Condom: costs $0–$3 per unit. Withdrawal: costs $0.