Is it doable to get pregnant from precum?

Whatever the technique of contraception you employ, when you’ve got unprotected intercourse, it’s doable to get pregnant. The possibilities could also be low, however nonetheless it isn’t unattainable. When a person will get aroused throughout a sexual exercise, his penis releases a transparent fluid referred to as precum, which precedes semen. It often doesn’t have sperm, which performs an vital function in a lady’s being pregnant. You might suppose that since precum doesn’t have sperm, it isn’t doable to get pregnant. And so, you may have unprotected intercourse or go for the withdrawal technique. Nicely, you’re incorrect. It’s uncommon, however ladies can get pregnant from precum too!

What’s precum?

Precum or pre-ejaculate is a transparent fluid launched by the penis throughout sexual arousal earlier than ejaculation. “It’s produced by the Cowper’s glands, and its key capabilities are to lubricate the urethra, and neutralise any acidic residue from urine,” says gynaecologist Dr Ritambhara Bhalla. It additionally helps facilitate the motion of sperm throughout ejaculation.

In contrast to semen, which is the fluid launched throughout ejaculation that incorporates sperm, precum usually doesn’t include sperm. “However it could choose up residual sperm, which might get left behind within the urethra from a earlier ejaculation,” shares the professional. Throughout a 2010 research printed within the Human Fertility journal, 41 p.c of the boys who participated, had sperm of their precum. About 37 p.c of that was wholesome sperm.

Can ladies get pregnant from precum?

The possibilities of being pregnant from precum are usually decrease than from ejaculate, however it’s nonetheless doable. The chance of being pregnant from precum is influenced by the next elements:

1. Timing

You probably have intercourse throughout your fertile window, which is the time round ovulation when an egg is launched from the ovary, the possibilities of being pregnant improve. “Even a small variety of sperm in precum can result in fertilisation throughout this era,” says Dr Bhalla. Sperm can survive for at the very least three days within the reproductive organs of a lady, as per the US Division of Well being and Human Companies. An egg lives for 12 to 24 hours after ovulation, so being pregnant can occur from publicity to precum firstly of ovulation. So, keep watch over the ovulation indicators.

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2. Earlier ejaculation

The connection between precum and being pregnant is all related to the presence of sperm. In case your man has just lately ejaculated and has not peed afterward, his sperm could stay within the urethra and be current within the precum, growing your possibilities of getting pregnant.

3. Contraceptive use

The absence of contraceptive strategies, reminiscent of condoms, considerably will increase the danger of being pregnant from precum. To cut back the danger of being pregnant, utilizing a dependable type of contraception is essential. “Be certain your accomplice wears condom proper from the time you begin having intercourse with him, and never simply earlier than ejaculation. That is to ensure that the precum doesn’t come into contact along with your vagina,” says the professional.

Is the withdrawal technique efficient?

The withdrawal technique, also referred to as pulling out, entails withdrawing the penis from the vagina earlier than ejaculation to stop sperm from getting into the uterus. It will possibly scale back the danger of getting pregnant, however it isn’t as efficient as different types of contraception. A 2017 research printed within the Views on Sexual and Reproductive Well being journal discovered that the withdrawal technique had a 20 p.c failure charge in comparison with condoms (13 p.c) and hormonal contraception (6 p.c).

Right here’s why it’s much less efficient:

• Precum can include sperm, which can lead to being pregnant even when withdrawal happens earlier than ejaculation.
• The tactic requires exact timing and self-control, which will be tough throughout sexual exercise.

“In order for you a more practical approach to forestall unplanned being pregnant, mix withdrawal technique with one other type of contraception like condoms, and contraception capsules,” says the professional.

Ought to ladies use emergency contraception to stop being pregnant as a consequence of precum?

Utilizing emergency contraception is usually a smart precaution if there’s a concern that precum could have led to being pregnant. When to contemplate emergency contraception:

• If no different contraceptive strategies have been used and there’s concern in regards to the presence of sperm in precum.
• If there was doubt in regards to the timing or effectiveness of the withdrawal technique.
• If a condom broke, slipped, or was not used appropriately.
• If contraception capsules have been missed or different hormonal contraceptives weren’t used as directed.

Listed here are some forms of emergency contraception:

• Morning-after capsules like Plan B or Ella are efficient, however you’ll want to take them quickly after having unprotected intercourse, ideally inside 72 hours.
• Copper intrauterine system (IUD) will be inserted by a physician inside 5 days of unprotected intercourse

It’s doable to get pregnant from precum, particularly if there’s sperm in it. The easiest way to keep away from unplanned being pregnant from precum is to make use of condoms or different contraception strategies.