Dear alz,

Not very safe. The withdrawal method is not a recommended for teens for several reasons. Many young men lack the experience and self-control to pull out in time. Some guys have been known to say they will pull out, and then they get so excited and carried away that they don't. Some guys cannot tell when they are going to ejaculate. Some guys ejaculate very quickly, before they realize it. Before ejaculation, all penises can leak fluid — pre-ejaculate — that may contain sperm and cause pregnancy. And lots of sexually transmitted infections can be passed from one person to another even if a guy withdraws before ejaculation. Many, like herpes, genital warts, and syphilis, are passed just from skin-to-skin contact.

Pregnancy can happen when ejaculate or pre-ejaculate gets in the vagina or vulva. Both ejaculate and pre-ejaculate can also carry sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV. Latex and female condoms reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.