Precum doesn’t often have sperm in it. Does that imply your possibilities of getting pregnant from precum are zero? No, it isn’t.
Whatever the methodology of contraception you employ, if in case you have unprotected intercourse, it’s attainable to get pregnant. The possibilities could also be low, however nonetheless it isn’t unimaginable. 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 essential function in a lady’s being pregnant. Chances are you’ll suppose that since precum doesn’t have sperm, it isn’t attainable to get pregnant. And so, you may have unprotected intercourse or go for the withdrawal methodology. Properly, you’re mistaken. 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 features 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.
Not like semen, which is the fluid launched throughout ejaculation that accommodates sperm, precum sometimes doesn’t include sperm. “However it could decide up residual sperm, which may get left behind within the urethra from a earlier ejaculation,” shares the skilled. Throughout a 2010 examine revealed 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 attainable. The danger of being pregnant from precum is influenced by the next elements:
1. Timing
When you 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 enhance. “Even a small variety of sperm in precum can result in fertilisation throughout this era,” says Dr Bhalla. Sperm can survive for at the least three days within the reproductive organs of a lady, as per the US Division of Well being and Human Providers. An egg lives for 12 to 24 hours after ovulation, so being pregnant can occur from publicity to precum originally of ovulation. So, control the ovulation indicators.
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, rising your possibilities of getting pregnant.
3. Contraceptive use
The absence of contraceptive strategies, resembling condoms, considerably will increase the danger of being pregnant from precum. To scale back the danger of being pregnant, utilizing a dependable type of contraception is essential. “Be sure that your accomplice wears condom proper from the time you begin having intercourse with him, and never simply earlier than ejaculation. That is to make it possible for the precum doesn’t come into contact along with your vagina,” says the skilled.
Is the withdrawal methodology efficient?
The withdrawal methodology, also called pulling out, includes withdrawing the penis from the vagina earlier than ejaculation to forestall sperm from coming into the uterus. It may possibly scale back the danger of getting pregnant, however it isn’t as efficient as different types of contraception. A 2017 examine revealed within the Views on Sexual and Reproductive Well being journal discovered that the withdrawal methodology 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 end in being pregnant even when withdrawal happens earlier than ejaculation.
- The strategy requires exact timing and self-control, which will be tough throughout sexual exercise.
“If you would like a more practical strategy to forestall unplanned being pregnant, mix withdrawal methodology with one other type of contraception like condoms, and contraception tablets,” says the skilled.
Ought to ladies use emergency contraception to forestall being pregnant because of precum?
Utilizing emergency contraception generally is a smart precaution if there’s a concern that precum could have led to being pregnant. When to think about emergency contraception:
- If no different contraceptive strategies have been used and there may be concern in regards to the presence of sperm in precum.
- If there was doubt in regards to the timing or effectiveness of the withdrawal methodology.
- If a condom broke, slipped, or was not used appropriately.
- If contraception tablets have been missed or different hormonal contraceptives weren’t used as directed.
Listed here are some forms of emergency contraception:
- Morning-after tablets like Plan B or Ella are efficient, however that you must take them quickly after having unprotected intercourse, ideally inside 72 hours.
- Copper intrauterine machine (IUD) will be inserted by a physician inside 5 days of unprotected intercourse
It’s attainable to get pregnant from precum, particularly if there may be 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.
