Dear Uma827,

Although men sometimes can control the timing of ejaculation, it is not something that can be "held in" indefinitely. There comes a point in male sexual excitement when ejaculation can no longer be stopped or postponed. That time is called "ejaculatory inevitability," because stopping or postponing it is not possible.

Some couples practice "withdrawal" as a form of birth control — when a man pulls his penis out of a woman's vagina before ejaculating. However, this is not a very effective form of birth control, especially for teens.

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 can't tell when they're going to ejaculate. Some guys ejaculate very quickly, before they realize it.

Also, before ejaculation, all penises can leak fluid — pre-ejaculate or "pre-cum" — that can contain sperm and cause pregnancy. And many sexually transmitted infections can be passed from one person to another even if a guy withdraws before ejaculation.

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.