Risk of Pregnancy
Can precum cause pregnancy? What are the important things to know about getting pregnant from precum? Precum can potentially lead to pregnancy, so the “pull-out” method isn’t considered a reliable form of birth control. Many people ask, “Can I get pregnant from precum?” The short answer is yes.
To understand the likelihood of getting pregnant from precum, we first need to look at how effective the pull-out method is, whether there is sperm in precum, and who should or shouldn’t rely on this method.
What is the pull-out method?
The pull-out method, also known as “withdrawal” or pulling out, is a form of birth control where one partner pulls their penis out of the vagina before ejaculation, moving it away from their partner’s genitals. This usually happens during or just before orgasm. In healthy individuals, the ejaculate (also known as “cum”) contains enough sperm to cause pregnancy. The idea is that by pulling out, sperm theoretically won’t reach the egg, preventing pregnancy. However, there are still concerns to address.
Is pulling out effective in preventing pregnancy?
The pull-out method is generally not considered a highly effective form of birth control. Out of every 100 people using this method alone, it’s estimated that 20-27 will get pregnant within a year. But why does this method have such a high pregnancy rate?
One reason is that it can be challenging to use the pull-out method correctly. It’s easy to forget to pull out in time during the heat of the moment, or someone may not realize they’re about to ejaculate and pull out too late. Successfully pulling out on time requires a lot of control and self-awareness from the person withdrawing and a high level of trust from their partner. As you can see, the responsibility for this method relies entirely on one person, and there’s no way to be certain it was effective afterward.
The second reason is that precum can contain sperm. Precum is released before ejaculation and acts as a lubricant during sex, helping balance the acidity in the urethra, which serves both for urination and sperm transmission in men. The question of whether precum contains sperm and whether that sperm can actually cause pregnancy has been the subject of several studies. The short answer is yes, precum can contain sperm, although this might not be true for everyone.
Does precum contain sperm?
Out of five studies on sperm content in precum, two found that none of the participants had sperm in their precum. In the other three studies, between 16% and 41% of participants did have sperm in their precum. Although the sperm count in precum was low in these studies and not all sperm may be capable of fertilizing an egg, the risk of pregnancy still exists.
Who should consider the pull-out method for birth control?
We’ve established that precum can lead to pregnancy, but the pull-out method can still be a somewhat effective birth control option for certain individuals. Here’s who might have the best success with it:
- Those who are aware of their body’s signals leading up to ejaculation.
- Those with enough self-control to pull out, even when they don’t want to.
- Those who trust each other to use this method and openly communicate any mistakes.
- Those who are confident they don’t produce sperm in their precum.
While the first three factors can be learned and worked on, there’s no way to know for sure if someone has sperm in their precum without lab analysis.
Of course, pregnancy isn’t the only thing to worry about when it comes to sex. Even if someone doesn’t have sperm in their precum, it can still transmit HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).