If you and your partner are sexually active, or you’re thinking about engaging in sexual intercourse in the future, it’s important to be aware of a bodily fluid known as pre-cum. Some couples may assume an unexpected pregnancy can only occur if there is penetration, followed by the ejaculation. However, there’s a small chance of conception if certain precautions are not taken. Pre-cum or pre-ejaculation is hard to avoid during intercourse. So, it’s important to know the risks that may be involved when it comes to an unexpected pregnancy. What steps should you take to avoid a potential pregnancy from pre-cum?
Are you worried about the chances of becoming pregnant from pre-cum? Avenue Women’s Center offers free early pregnancy services, such as medical-grade pregnancy tests, at our six locations in DuPage County. You may have a lot of questions about the risks of pregnancy even when engaging in protected intercourse. We are here to listen and provide you with answers within a confidential environment.
Contact us to receive accurate results and information on your pregnancy options today.
What Is Pre-Cum and Does It Contain Sperm?
Before a man climaxes, he usually releases pre-cum, also known as pre-ejaculate fluid, from his penis during intercourse. This fluid often comes out right before semen. While pre-cum doesn’t contain sperm, there is a chance sperm may leak into it. Produced by a gland in the penis, pre-cum often serves as a lubricant that might have been released before your partner ejaculated. There’s a chance that semen may linger in the urethra after ejaculation, mixing with the pre-cum your partner may have expelled.
Is There a High Probability of Becoming Pregnant from Pre-Cum?
While the chances are generally very low, the possibility of there be living sperm within pre-cum means conception is possible. Even if you weren’t ovulating during the time you and your partner engaged in intercourse, pregnancy can still occur. This is because sperm can live inside of your body for as long as five days. And if it’s inside your reproductive tract before ovulation, it may be there still when you do begin to ovulate.
For most women, ovulation occurs about 14 days before their next period. Since sperm usually has a five-day lifespan within your body, having sex five days before you ovulate can increase your chances of becoming pregnant. If your periods are irregular, knowing when you’re fertile can be difficult. Some women are able to tell by monitoring their basal body temperature, or by tracking changes in their cervical mucus.
With the possibility of pre-cum containing sperm, it’s recommended you and your partner use protection, such as a barrier method, the entire time there is penetration to reduce the chances of pregnancy. However, no birth control method is 100% effective. The only way to fully ensure there is no chance of pregnancy is to abstain from having sex.
What If My Partner Pulls Out?
Pre-cum can still enter your vagina even if your partner withdraws. And there’s still a slight risk of sperm fertilizing an egg if you’re engaged in an activity that can lead to it coming into contact with your vagina. If you’ve considered utilizing the withdrawal method and taking emergency contraception, such as Plan B, to increase its effectiveness, the possibility of pregnancy may still remain. This is because emergency contraceptive methods are not meant to be used as a regular birth control method.
it’s difficult for men to tell if they are discharging pre-cum or pre-ejaculate fluid. Therefore, the pull out method is not recommended for pregnancy prevention.
Who Can I Talk To?
If you or your partner still have questions about pregnancy prevention methods, the risk of an unexpected pregnancy due to pre-cum, or if you suspect you may be pregnant, please don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance. A healthcare provider or a pregnancy consultant can supply you with reliable information within a nonjudgmental environment.
Are you concerned about the possibility of pregnancy? Take a free, accurate pregnancy test at Avenue Women’s Center and receive your results today. We have been assisting women with pregnancy-related concerns since 1981—providing information and support for anyone who is concerned about an unexpected pregnancy.
Contact us today for an appointment at one of our centers in Darien, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn / Lombard, Naperville, West Chicago, or Wood Dale, Illinois today!
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References:
- American Pregnancy Association. Precum Pregnancy Rate. Retrieved from: https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/can-you-get-pregnant-with-precum/
- healthline. (2018, January). Can You Get Pregnant from Pre-Cum? What to Expect. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sex/can-you-get-pregnant-from-precum
Reviewed by Patricia Kuenzi, APN-CNP, MSN, ANP, PNP.
The information provided here is general in nature. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a medical professional. Before any medical procedure, it is imperative that you discuss your personal medical history, risks, and concerns with your doctor. If you have questions during or after a procedure, your doctor should be immediately contacted. Avenue Women’s Center is not an emergency center. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as bleeding and/or pain, seek immediate medical attention. Contact your physician, go to an emergency room, or call 911.