Can I Get Pregnant If…
As a general rule of thumb, if a pregnancy question begins with the fact that there was a penis inside of a vagina, the answer is probably, “yes, you could be pregnant.” (Don’t totally freak here, “could be pregnant” is different than “are pregnant.”) The reality is, men and women’s bodies are designed to reproduce. So in order to get them not to, you have to either abstain from sex or rely on the miracles of modern science (ie: birth control). You can’t rely on yoga poses, Coca-Cola douches, or elaborate voodoo ceremonies. The following are 10 scenarios that are NOT reliable ways to protect against an unplanned pregnancy.
You CAN get pregnant if…
A girl is on her period. Sperm can live in the vagina for five to seven days. So even if sex occurred when a girl was on her period (and likely not at a fertile part of the cycle), the little spermies can make themselves at home, and wait around until a girl is fertile.
It’s your first time. All sex is created equal. Meaning, it could be your first or 81st time and you’re equally as likely to get pregnant.
You had sex standing up or with a girl on top. It doesn’t matter where or in what position you have sex, unless you’re using birth control of some kind, there will be semen in the girl’s vagina. It may seem like most of it drips out, but trust me…there’s still some in there.
You did jumping jacks after sex. Good for you for staying fit! Unfortunately, jumping jacks aren’t good for anything but getting your heart rate up.
You douched, peed, or took a bath right after having sex. (First of all, you pee out of a different hole…and while it’s always good to pee after sex to prevent urinary tract infections, your pee hole has nothing to do with pregnancy.) And, even if you do douche, take a bath, or flush out your vagina, once semen is up there, the damage is done.
You had sex in a pool, the ocean, or a hot tub. Where you have sex doesn’t matter…pregnancy is still a possibility. Even if there is some water involved, that doesn’t flush out the sperm. (Don’t worry though, if a guy ejaculates in a pool or hot tub—and intercourse wasn’t involved—it’s VERY unlikely that you could get pregnant from that.)
He pulled out. Sex is like basketball, you dribble before you shoot. Even if a guy successfully pulls out, his pre-cum (the stuff that comes out before ejaculation) can get you pregnant.
He came right outside your vagina. You can actually get pregnant even when a guy ejaculates near your vaginal opening. Any vaginal mucus that’s around your vagina can literally serve as a slip n’ slide for sperm to swim into your vagina and all the way up.
You did a lot of drugs, had an eating disorder, your body is unhealthy .Even if your body is unhealthy, your reproductive system is probably working just fine and it’s not worth the risk to have unprotected sex. That being said, if you are suffering from an eating disorder or have addiction problems, you should seek help immediately.
He’s a stoner, wears tighty whiteys, drinks a lot of Mountain Dew. Ditto. So maybe a guy’s habits are lowering his sperm count from 4 million to 3 million. Even so…he’s still working with A LOT of sperm.
There are no tricks or exceptions when it comes to preventing pregnancy. (If any of these things actually worked, birth control and condom companies would be out of business.) The only way to reliably protect yourself from pregnancy is to be on an ACTUAL method of birth control. And though nothing is 100%, it will significantly reduce your chances of becoming pregnant. Check out our list of birth control methods and make sure you keep yourself protected. Every time.
Have questions about birth control methods or sex myths? Email us!
* image credit: flickr.com
UPDATE: Hi guys—based on the comments below, there are a LOT of questions about whether doing one thing or another could get you pregnant. The bottom line? If you're having sex, you could get pregnant. If you've decided to become sexually active—even if that doesn't mean actually have full on intercourse, but just messing around with your partner—you have to figure out a reliable method of birth control that you use every single time you have sex. And if you're not ready to have sex, that's totally and completely ok, too—it's the only 100% effective method of birth control, so don't write off waiting! In the meantime, if you think you may be pregnant or if you're ready to get on birth control, it's time to see a doctor or health care professional. Need to find one? Use our clinic locator.
Amber Madison has been writing about sex, love, and relationships since college (she went to Tufts University) when she wrote for her school newspaper's sex ed column. Since graduating, she's published two books: Hooking Up: A Girl's All-Out Guide to Sex and Sexuality and Talking Sex With Your Kids and has been quoted in a ton of different media outlets from Seventeen magazine to MTV to NPR. Have a question for Amber? Send us an email!
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WHAT OTHER TEENS ARE SAYING:
I had unprotected sex with my boyfriend and I missed a birth control pill but I took one that morning before we had sex, & the other one right after we had sex and A few days later I started my period. He did pull out he just thinks a little bit stayed in. Could I be Pregnant?
My boyfriend pre-ejaculated outside (no where near my vaginal area) before we “had sex.” But he cleaned himself off before he went in. We were just fooling around and didn’t do it for very long. This was the day before my period. Two weeks later, the same incident occurred. Now my period is late. Is it late because I’m pregnant or because of other factors such as stress?
My boyfriend and I have had both protected and unprotected sex. I know its not a 100% effective method, but when we go unprotected he does the pull out method. So far so good. Today we had sex again but this time he says the head of his penis felt “weird”. I looked that up and it said it could be from when a guy cums. I’m freaking out a little because of course, with my luck, it was unprotected… Anyone have any advice on what a ‘weird head of a penis’ feels like and what it means? Have a feeling another pregnancy scare is around the corner..
Thanks!
Okay I have a question me and my boyfriend have had sex a lot for a couple of days eveysingle time he came inside me is there a possibility that I cant be pregnant or I am for sure ?
This might sound like a stupid question but i just have to ask. Im on my period, not on birth control and last night i gave my boyfriend a handjob… if some got on my hand and i wiped it off, used the bathroom and wiped, could i get pregnate ? I just dont even know and i freak out over little things….
If I’m on the pill and he used a condom and it didn’t break is it possible I could get pregnant? If so what’s the likelihood?
I had sex two days before my period. He pulled out before he came, but I’m a day late and he is freaking out. If I start my period does that mean Im not pregnant?
My boyfriend had sex with me while i was on my period now im on the mirana iud , is it still possible for me to get pregnant?
He pre cumed inside me.. Help
Me and my boyfriend had sex and used a condom, he came and then an hour later he went inside me for a few seconds with no protection, if there was an semen left on him from before could that get me pregnant? or was it already considered “dead”?
It's great that you used a condom when you had sex, but it's important to use a new one everytime you have sex – even if it's only for a few seconds.
But the situations you describe are not ones that are particularly good for sperm. Sperm live longest in warm, moist environments, like a woman’s body. In fact, after ejaculation, sperm can live in the vagina for up to five days (which is why you CAN get pregnant during your period)! In contrast, sperm outside the body may only last minutes to a few hours because the semen dries out and the sperm die. Still, if you’re worried—or if your period is late—be sure to take a pregnancy test or contact a health care professional who can give you a pregnancy test. Remember that anytime semen is near the vagina—whether it’s on your boyfriend’s hand or on your clothing—there’s a possibility it could get inside and cause a pregnancy.
Need to find a clinic? Use our clinic locator; just type in your zip code for all the info you’ll need to find a health center nearby.
I had sex on the first day of my period could i be pregnant
I had sexual intercourse with my boyfriend and he didn’t use any kind of protection is there any possibilty I could be peegnant. Baring in mind we did it 3 times in a row. Sorry if this is too detail but I need to know what next steps to take. I am 16 and not ready at all. However, I do have my own place. The thing is I am experiencing sickness in the morning for the past 2 days, lower pains, back ache, head acches and dizzyness. Also, my breasts have gone hard and I heard that if your breasts get hard it means your pregnant. Please help, I need advice.
Can i get pregnant of he never went in me and never ejaculated?
Although we can’t answer this question for you 100% definitely because we’re not medical doctors, the situation you’re describing doesn’t sound like one where a pregnancy would be likely. Although you say he never ejaculated, pre-ejaculate (or pre-cum) can hold sperm, particularly if the guy has recently ejaculated (either through sex or masturbation). Even more—pre-cum can carry sexually transmitted infections like HIV. This means that, even if you’re not having full on sex or if the guy didn't officially ejaculate, you could still be at risk for pregnancy or STIs just through your partner’s pre-cum.
Anytime semen is near the vagina—whether it’s on your boyfriend’s hand or on your clothing—there’s a possibility it could get inside and cause a pregnancy. Sperm live longest in warm, moist environments, like a woman’s body. In fact, after ejaculation, sperm can live in the vagina for up to five days (which is why you CAN get pregnant during your period)! In contrast, sperm outside the body may only last minutes to a few hours because the semen dries out and the sperm die.
In the meantime, if you decide to become sexually active, it’s SO important to use some form of birth control—condoms are great, but consider using them along with another method, like the birth control pill, patch, or ring or even a long acting method like an IUD or implant. You can find out a ton about the different methods using our Birth Control Method Explorer (http://stayteen.org/birth-control-101).
Need to find a clinic? Use our clinic locator; just type in your zip code for all the info you’ll need to find a health center nearby.
I’m on birth control but I missed a day and I had sex that day. I thought he was wearing a condom but he wasn’t and he came around my vagina and inside it and I’m freaking the F out
Can you get pregnant if u had pants and tights on and he had his penis out and we dried humped can i be pregnant
Anytime semen is near the vagina—whether it’s on your boyfriend’s hand or on your clothing—there’s a possibility it could get inside and cause a pregnancy. But the situations you describe are not ones that are particularly good for sperm. Sperm live longest in warm, moist environments, like a woman’s body. In fact, after ejaculation, sperm can live in the vagina for up to five days (which is why you CAN get pregnant during your period)! In contrast, sperm outside the body may only last minutes to a few hours because the semen dries out and the sperm die. Still, if you’re worried—or if your period is late—be sure to take a pregnancy test or contact a health care professional who can give you a pregnancy test.
Need to find a clinic? Use our clinic locator; just type in your zip code for all the info you’ll need to find a health center nearby.
Can I get pregant if I was fertile when we had sex, but we used a condom and he bummed inside of me, but the condom wasn’t busted or anything?
Thanks for the question. Although we can’t answer this question for you 100% definitely because we’re not medical doctors, the situation you’re describing doesn’t sound like one where a pregnancy would be likely. Still, if you’re worried—or if your period is late—be sure to take a pregnancy test or contact a health care professional who can give you a pregnancy test.
It's great that you used protection, because it’s SO important to use some form of birth control—condoms are great, but consider using them along with another method, like the birth control pill, patch, or ring or even a long acting method like an IUD or implant. You can find out a ton about the different methods using our Birth Control Method Explorer (http://stayteen.org/birth-control-101).
Need to find a clinic? Use our clinic locator; just type in your zip code for all the info you’ll need to find a health center nearby.
I gave my boyfriend a blow job and he cam in my mouth but i continued to give him head and then he put his penis inside me for like 2 seconds could i be pregnant?
I have a boy friend who said he can pull it out before he cums, but he was in the moment and came in me on accident, ever since we have just touched and masturbated together, he said that if I am pregnant then he’ll take care of me, he begs for sex every night but I’m never in the mood. I haven’t beed feeling good at all, do you think I’m pregnant?
Can you get pregnant if he didnt cum at all?
Thanks for the question. Although we can’t answer this question for you 100% definitely because we’re not medical doctors, the situation you’re describing doesn’t sound like one where a pregnancy would be likely. Still, if you’re worried—or if your period is late—be sure to take a pregnancy test or contact a health care professional who can give you a pregnancy test.
Keep in mind that while pre-ejaculate (or pre-cum) is usually just a natural lubricant, there is definitely the chance that it can hold sperm, particularly if the guy has recently ejaculated (either through sex or masturbation). Even more—pre-cum can carry sexually transmitted infections like HIV. This means that, even if you’re not having full on sex or if the guy didn't officially ejaculate, you could still be at risk for pregnancy or STIs just through your partner’s pre-cum.
If you decide to be sexually active, it’s SO important to use some form of birth control—condoms are great, but consider using them along with another method, like the birth control pill, patch, or ring or even a long acting method like an IUD or implant. You can find out a ton about the different methods using our Birth Control Method Explorer (http://stayteen.org/birth-control-101).
Need to find a clinic? Use our clinic locator; just type in your zip code for all the info you’ll need to find a health center nearby.
he pulled out and I started my period hours after we had sex and i stopped early but Does that mean I’m safe from getting pregnant?
we had sex before my period he ejaculated inside me but i got my period 8 days later , can i still be pregnant ?
Me and my boyfriend had sex and we used protection and it didn’t break and he pulled out before he ejaculated. Could i be pregnant??
Thanks for the question. Although we can’t answer this question for you 100% definitely because we’re not medical doctors, the situation you’re describing doesn’t sound like one where a pregnancy would be likely. Still, if you’re worried—or if your period is late—be sure to take a pregnancy test or contact a health care professional who can give you a pregnancy test.
It's great that you used protection, because it’s SO important to use some form of birth control—condoms are great, but consider using them along with another method, like the birth control pill, patch, or ring or even a long acting method like an IUD or implant. You can find out a ton about the different methods using our Birth Control Method Explorer (http://stayteen.org/birth-control-101).
Need to find a clinic? Use our clinic locator; just type in your zip code for all the info you’ll need to find a health center nearby.
im scared i mite be pregnat lol been with this guy 2 years he asked me to marry him but i said no
Can you get pregnant when he used a condom in the beginning and took it off in the middle of sex but didn’t cum?
Whats the percentage of not getting pregnant, if a guy came inside you while you are on birth control
My girlfriend had here period then it ended so we had sex now shes bleeding again wats going on
I had protected sex on august 28. I got my period 2 weeks later it was normal flow lasted 3-5 days as usual. I had no symptoms of pregnancy but I’m still kinda scared I’m 15 btw
If I had sex and he use the pull out method an a day after I took a plan b pill to prevent getting pregnant could I be pregnant since on the next or 2 days after taking the pill I start urinating more often and on the 4th day I lightly bleed from the “pee hole”? What does this mean??
What if you only have it in for like 5 minutes and he doesn’t cum
I take birth control, but I don’t what kind it is. I had sex with my boyfriend one day without taking the pill and he came in me 3 times. I took the pill afterward, though, so is it still possible that I can come out pregnant?
Two days ago me and my boyfriend had sex and he came in me. The day after i started my period and im now feeling sick when i wake up. How do i know if im pregnant or not?
I had sex with my boyfriend after he ejaculated(not in me)can I still get pregnant,(he did ejaculate again afterwards, not in me)?
I had sex-protected…I got my period three days later…could I be pregnant?
Im 14, Me and my boyfriend had sex on September 6th but he did not cum inside me.He came on a towel and only because we stopped and he finished himself off, I get my period up to 3 times a month. The 9th I got a really bad virus. But i been feeling really sick. Could this be the virus or am i pregnant
My boyfriend cummed and the condom got stuck inside of me not all the way just like half of it and took it out like 5 seconds later and I want to know if I’m pregnant from that .. I mean all of it fell on the floor and sum on my clothes but were both just curious
Does vesectomy sperm look different from regular fertile sperm??
Nope, a guy's ejaculate looks the same whether he has had a vasectomy or not!
So my boyfriend and I had sex three weeks ago last Saturday. He pulled out late and so I took a plan b. I got my period the week after I took the pill. Now this entire week I’m spotting. Im on birth control but i tend to forget to take them. Also when we had sex j was in my sugar pills. Could I potentially be pregnant? If not what is this?
So my boyfriend and I had sex. We used a condom, but after he took the condom off his penis touched my vagina and it had a little cum on it. Could I be pregnant?
v learnt a lot. I will be careful when having sex.
What if we didn’t use a condom at first? We started having sex with out a condom then he put one on in the middle of it.
I had sex in june and b4 my partner came he pulled out but nowhere near my vagina, I got my period in june and july but missed august cud I be pregnant?
My girlfriend and I had sex while she was on her period two weeks ago and I came inside of her now she’s got morning sickness and breast are tender when there touched but she took a pregnancy test on the second week and it said negative but after she took it a few hours later she started light bleeding is she pregnant?
My period is 10 days late i have had unprotected sex more than 3 times in the end of august it is now September 7th could I be Pregnant Help ! Please
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