Are you able to pregnant from precum? Know the probabilities

Whatever the methodology of contraception you employ, when you have unprotected intercourse, it’s doable to get pregnant. The probabilities could also be low, however nonetheless it’s not unattainable. When a person will get aroused throughout a sexual exercise, his penis releases a transparent fluid known as precum, which precedes semen. It often doesn’t have sperm, which performs an essential position in a girl’s being pregnant. You might assume that since precum doesn’t have sperm, it’s not doable to get pregnant. And so, you possibly can have unprotected intercourse or go for the withdrawal methodology. Effectively, you might be 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.

In contrast to semen, which is the fluid launched throughout ejaculation that comprises sperm, precum usually 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 professional. Throughout a 2010 research printed within the Human Fertility journal, 41 % of the lads who participated, had sperm of their precum. About 37 % of that was wholesome sperm.

Can ladies get pregnant from precum?

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

1. Timing

In case you have intercourse throughout your fertile window, which is the time round ovulation when an egg is launched from the ovary, the probabilities 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 a minimum of three days within the reproductive organs of a girl, 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 firstly of ovulation. So, control 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 might stay within the urethra and be current within the precum, growing your probabilities of getting pregnant.

3. Contraceptive use

The absence of contraceptive strategies, resembling condoms, considerably will increase the chance of being pregnant from precum. To cut back the chance of being pregnant, utilizing a dependable type of contraception is essential. “Make sure that your companion 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 professional.

Is the withdrawal methodology efficient?

The withdrawal methodology, often known as pulling out, entails withdrawing the penis from the vagina earlier than ejaculation to forestall sperm from getting into the uterus. It may well scale back the chance of getting pregnant, however it’s not 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 methodology had a 20 % failure fee in comparison with condoms (13 %) and hormonal contraception (6 %).

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 might be troublesome throughout sexual exercise.

“If you’d like a simpler option to forestall unplanned being pregnant, mix withdrawal methodology with one other type of contraception like condoms, and contraception tablets,” says the professional.

Ought to ladies use emergency contraception to forestall being pregnant as a result of precum?

Utilizing emergency contraception generally is a sensible precaution if there’s a concern that precum might have led to being pregnant. When to think about emergency contraception:

• If no different contraceptive strategies had 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 had been missed or different hormonal contraceptives weren’t used as directed.

Listed here are some kinds of emergency contraception:

• Morning-after tablets 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 gadget (IUD) might be inserted by a health care provider inside 5 days of unprotected intercourse

It’s doable to get pregnant from precum, particularly if there may be sperm in it. One of the best ways to keep away from unplanned being pregnant from precum is to make use of condoms or different contraception strategies.