If you’re trying to get pregnant — or avoid pregnancy — "pre-ejaculate" is an important word to know. Here's what you need to understand about its role in conception. Show
What is pre-ejaculate (precum)?Pre-ejaculate, also sometimes called precum, is a clear, thick fluid that comes out of a man's penis when he is aroused. This usually happens right before he ejaculates. Unlike actual semen, pre-ejaculate doesn't come from the testes but instead from the Cowper's gland — two pea-sized glands located right beneath the prostate gland. Pre-ejaculate may act like as a lubricant during sex, and it also makes semen less watery, creating a conducive living environment for sperm. Can you get pregnant from pre-ejaculate?In a word, yes. Pre-ejaculate may contain sperm, which means you could get pregnant even if your partner doesn't fully ejaculate into your vagina. There hasn't been a lot of research on this, but one small study found that over 40 percent of men had some sperm in their pre-ejaculate.[1] It's thought that this is "cross-contamination" from semen that may be present in the urethra (the tube that transports urine from the bladder to the tip of the penis) from a past sexual encounter, since both pre-ejaculate fluid and semen pass through the urethra. Can you get pregnant if the man "pulls out" before orgasm?Again, yes. Most men can't tell when they've pre-ejaculated, and withdrawal itself takes a lot of self-control, which can be quite difficult when you're in the heat of the moment. And if even a few drops of semen land on the outside of your vagina, sperm may still swim in, which can lead to pregnancy. It's also important to remember that "pulling out" doesn't protect you against STDs. Some STDs, like genital warts and herpes, are spread through skin-to-skin contact, while others, such as chlamydia, syphilis or gonorrhea, can be carried in precum. So if you're worried about any STD, make sure that you use a condom. Continue Reading Below Read This NextIf you're actively trying to avoid pregnancy, the main argument for withdrawal is that it keeps some semen out of the vagina. Other forms of birth control, like condoms, are more effective (but not foolproof). You can combine the two for a more potent pregnancy protection, or consider a more reliable method, such as the birth control pill or the IUD. What are your odds of getting pregnant from pre-ejaculate?It's impossible to know for sure, as it can vary from person to person and with each sexual encounter. The best data available are studies that look at the withdrawal method. If your partner "perfects" the pull-out method, then your chances are relatively low: only about 4 percent. But the reality is that doesn't always happen, which is why the "real life" effectiveness is only about 22 percent.[2] That means about 22 out of 100 people who use the withdrawal method get pregnant every year, or roughly one in five. By comparison, the IUD has a failure rate of less than 1 percent, while methods like the pill or patch are under 10 percent, and condoms are under 20. Bottom line? Pre-ejaculate is still ejaculate, which means it most likely contains sperm. If you're currently trying to avoid pregnancy, your best bet is to use a more reliable method of birth control. From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy. Was this article helpful?
Is withdrawal (pulling out) effective? Men involuntarily release precum, or pre-ejaculatory fluid, shortly before they have an orgasm and ejaculate. The chances of getting pregnant with precum and the pull out method are approximately 22 percent, but the actual rate is difficult to predict. Men involuntarily release precum, also called pre-ejaculatory fluid, shortly before they have an orgasm and ejaculate. While this precum doesn't normally contain sperm, in some men it does. If there is sperm in the precum, it could get inside your vagina and fertilize an egg, leading to pregnancy. Pulling out before ejaculation to prevent pregnancy is called the withdrawal method. When done perfectly, this method of birth control is 96% effective. However, it's difficult to do perfectly, so its actual effectiveness rate is about 78%. If 100 people use this method, 22 of them will get pregnant in a year. You can increase the effectiveness of the withdrawal method by combining it with other methods such as condoms. Emergency contraceptiveEmergency contraception (EC) is birth control used after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. It's sometimes called the morning-after pill. However, it's most effective when taken soon after unprotected sex occurred. EC prevents pregnancy from happening. It does not cause an abortion, and it's not effective if pregnancy has already taken place. You can buy some types of EC pills over the counter, and some require a prescription from your doctor. An IUD can also be used for emergency contraception. The different types of emergency contraceptives include:
What are the most effective birth control methods?There are four general types of non-emergency birth control options. Some are more effective than others. The best type for you will depend on factors such as your age and if you want to have children soon or not. The different types are: Short-Acting Hormonal Contraception. Hormonal birth control works by changing your body's natural level of progestin and/or estrogen. All short-acting hormonal contraceptives require a prescription. They are 91% to 95% effective. Some of the most common methods include:
Long-Term Contraception. Long-term contraceptives are a good option if you don't plan to have children in the next few years. They can last from 3 to 10 years and are 99% effective. Once they are put in, you don't have to worry about birth control until you're ready to take them out. There are two different types of long-term contraceptives, including implants and IUDs. Implants and hormonal IUDs work by changing your body's progestin level over time. Copper IUDs are hormone-free. They use copper to stop sperm from fertilizing your eggs. One-Time Barrier Contraception. Barrier contraceptives work by physically stopping sperm from fertilizing your egg. You need to use these every time you have sex. Because you have to use them correctly every time, they are not as effective as other forms of birth control. They are 71% to 88% effective but can be combined with other methods for greater effectiveness. Barrier contraceptive methods include:
Permanent Contraception. Permanent contraception involves a surgical procedure to make pregnancy impossible. It is almost 100% effective. There are procedures available for women and men. The procedure for women is called tubal ligation. Your fallopian tubes, which connect your ovaries and uterus, are cut, tied, or blocked to prevent an egg from traveling from your ovaries to your uterus. Sexually transmitted diseasesWhile some birth control methods are very effective at preventing pregnancy, condoms are the only method that can also prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Using a condom correctly every time you have sex can lower your risk of catching an STD. You can still get some STDs such as herpes and HPV even when you use a condom. Some other ways to prevent STDs include:
SLIDESHOWStages of Pregnancy: Week by Week See SlideshowMedically Reviewed on 8/25/2021 References SOURCES: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: "Emergency Contraception." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): "How You Can Prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases." HealthPartners: "5 types of birth control options: which is best for you?" SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN: "Can You Prevent Pregnancy with the Pullout Method?" TeensHealth: "Can You Get Pregnant From Pre-Ejaculate?" |
What percent chance can you get pregnant from precum
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