About as good as condoms says a new study by the Guttmacher Institute [1]. Of course, it's only true if pregnancy is the only thing you're trying to prevent. Condoms are still better than just about everything if you're looking to avoid STD/STIs.

The study found [2] that the failure rate of condoms if used perfectly is 2 percent, but the actual failure rate is 17 percent. For the pull-out method, the same rates are 4 and 18 percent, respectively. So the realistic risk of getting pregnant is only 1 percent higher when using the pull out over condoms.

Overall, not great news, considering the threat of pregnancy has always been the best reason to ask a man to wear a condom without negotiating awkward sexual history talks too early. But what if you're responsible? Tests are done. Relationship is committed. And consequences? As prepared as you'll ever be. Would you regularly use the pull-out method? Or, do you?

Source [2]