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The more questions we get from our readers under 21, the more we realize that misconceptions about sex abound. One thing that confuses so many teenagers is whether or not a person can get pregnant by a variety of means – with clothes on, while wearing a tampon, while taking birth control, or during a woman’s period.
In order for a pregnancy to occur, there must be male genital (or sperm) to female genital contact – close to or inside, the vaginal opening. Sexual intercourse does not have to occur in order to get pregnant and although not a common occurrence, there does not have to be an ejaculation of sperm. Fluid that is seen on the top of the penis when erect is known as pre-ejaculate fluid and can contain sperm. This has the potential to impregnate a woman, even without ejaculation.
It is possible to get pregnant at any time of the month – there is no one hundred percent "safe time" for women, especially for those with unpredictable cycles. While a woman needs to ovulate (release an egg) to get pregnant, she may ovulate at different times of the month and therefore risk pregnancy at any given time. Sperm can live for several days in a woman, thus making pregnancy a possibility several days after having sex or even after having sex during her period, if she ovulates early in her cycle.
As strange as it may seem, many teenagers are worried about getting pregnant without having any "real" sex at all. A woman cannot get pregnant from what’s commonly called “dry humping” or outercourse. This is when the motions of sex are mimicked but there is no genital contact and generally, clothing is worn. Anal sex cannot cause pregnancy unless sperm finds contact with the vaginal area and it is impossible to get pregnant by performing oral sex and swallowing sperm. Kissing, making out and touching outside clothes cannot get a woman pregnant. There must always be sperm and always some form of genital contact. This behavior is not considered “dry humping”. Abstinence is the only guaranteed way to not get pregnant.
Birth control options like the Pill and condom are very effective (up to 98-99 percent) when used exactly as directed, although there are many more options like birth control shots, sponges, spermicidal inserts/foams, patches, natural planning (the ‘rhythm method’) and sterilization.
For more information on Outercourse, read this great article from one of our HerWriters, Alison Beaver: https://www.empowher.com/community/share/outercourse-dry-humping-dry-sex-and-other-sexual-behaviors
Add a Comment2 Comments
Me and my boy friend were makong out and we were unclothed his penis touched my vagina buy he didnt ejaculate after this I gave him a blowjob and he got something out but not ejaculation I thingk those touched my vagina too. And I was very wet , this month i missed my period because I always have it on like the 24th or 25th and today is the 1st am I pregnant or its just paranoia ? Ps ; Iwas really stressed this month because I had my first sat trial amd my scoring so I was really worried
June 30, 2014 - 6:20pmThis Comment
Hello,
June 11, 2014 - 10:05pmI believe the answer to my question is no but I have been worried sick and so I am just looking for reassurance.
My boyfriend and I were dry humping, not for a long period of time. Anyways, I was wearing lace underwear and he was in tight boxers. He did not ejaculate, but there was some pre-cum and I was slightly wet.
Is there a slight possibility of pregnancy?
This Comment