does the pull out method work when not ovulating

The pull-out method does provide some reduction in pregnancy risk but it is not fully reliable—even when not ovulating. Sperm can live inside the reproductive tract for up to seven days, meaning that sperm from sex during a non-ovulating phase can survive long enough to fertilize an egg in a subsequent ovulation cycle. Therefore, the pull-out method can still fail even when sex is not timed with ovulation. Effectiveness of the pull-out method varies; typical use effectiveness is around 78-80%, with about 1 in 5 people relying solely on it getting pregnant in a year. Its biggest challenges include timing the withdrawal perfectly and the presence of sperm in pre- ejaculate fluid, which can lead to pregnancy irrespective of ovulation timing on the day of sex. In summary, the pull-out method is not a guaranteed contraceptive, whether or not the woman is ovulating, due to sperm longevity and timing variances. Combining it with other contraception methods or avoiding sex during the fertile window is advised for better pregnancy prevention.