Is Pregnancy Possible from Pre-Cum?

The chances of pre-discharge causing pregnancy are very low, but not zero, so it is possible for pre-discharge to cause pregnancy.

Pre-ejaculatory fluid is a lubricant designed specifically for sexual intercourse in men with pre-ejaculatory testicles. If you’re trying to avoid pregnancy by using the withdrawal method, in which the penis is withdrawn from the vagina before ejaculation, you should take steps to prevent pregnancy by using pre-ejaculatory techniques. Here’s what you need to know:

What is Pre-Cum?

Pre-ejaculate (also known as pre-cum) is a liquid made up mainly of mucus, proteins and enzymes. By balancing the pH level and making the male urethra less acidic, sperm have a better chance of surviving in the highly acidic vagina.

Pre-ejaculatory fluid usually does not contain sperm, but it may contain some sperm from a previous ejaculation.

Pre-ejaculatory fluids are the fluids that come out involuntarily before a man orgasms and ejaculates, according to Mitchell Kranin, M.D., an obstetrician-gynecologist and director of family planning at the University of California, Davis Medical Center. “Pre-ejaculatory fluids are actually just the beginning of ejaculation. There’s no ‘before,'” Dr. Kranin says.

Does pre-ejaculate contain sperm?

Pre-ejaculatory fluid itself does not contain sperm, but sperm can leak into this fluid as it travels down the urethra, where there may be residue from a previous ejaculation that can be released along with the pre-ejaculatory fluid. (FYI: semen contains sperm and is the ejaculate fluid released during orgasm.)  

“Normally, after ejaculation, semen contains more than 40 million motile sperm, whereas before ejaculation, semen contains either no sperm or fewer than 5 million sperm,” says Dr. Shay.

There is limited research on semen and whether it contains sperm. For example, a small 2013 study of sperm counts in 27 men found that 41% of participants had sperm in their semen, and of those, 37% were motile (healthy). Meanwhile, a similar 2016 study of sperm counts in semen found that about 17% of participants had healthy sperm.

However, a 2021 study found no conclusive evidence that pre-ejaculate fluid contains sperm, confirming that further research is needed on this issue.

What are the chances of pregnancy from pre-ejaculated semen?

The short answer is that ejaculating before sex can cause pregnancy, especially if you use the pull-out method as a form of birth control during sex.

“It’s estimated that about 20 percent of people who use the withdrawal method during intercourse can become pregnant, and those people may also be able to become pregnant if they use the pre-ejaculation method,” Dr Shay says.

Can the abortion method prevent pregnancy?

The withdrawal method is not absolute.

“The advice I would give to couples is that if you use the withdrawal method, you as a couple have to be comfortable with the idea of ​​not finishing sex completely,” says Dr. Krainin. “If you’re going to ejaculate into the vagina without contraception  , pull out before you ejaculate and become aroused . Pulling out before orgasm does not provide contraception.”   

Is there any way to prevent or avoid premature ejaculation?

There is no way to prevent semen production, and the amount of semen produced depends on many factors.

“The amount of fluid released before ejaculation varies depending on arousal level, hormone status, hydration levels, and medications,” says Dr. Shay. “The only way to avoid [pre-ejaculation] is to use a barrier [such as a condom]. People think that if men urinate before sex, it might flush sperm out of the urethra, but this has not been proven.”

However, if you choose the pull-out method, you should use another method of contraception, such as a spermicide lubricant, to reduce the risk of pregnancy. However, like any other method of contraception, this method must be used correctly and consistently.

“Anything is more effective than just popping a pill,” says Dr. Kranin. “If you’re using a vaginal contraceptive (spermicide) gel in conjunction with birth control, be sure to follow the instructions.” According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, spermicide used alone is only 28% effective.

When should I use emergency contraception?

If you are concerned that the pre-ejaculation state after sex may increase your risk of unwanted pregnancy, you can use emergency contraception. There are two options for emergency contraception:

First, you insert a ParaGuard IUD within five days of unprotected sex, which can be left in place to continue providing birth control.

Another option is “emergency contraception,” or birth control taken after unprotected sex. There are different types of emergency contraception, some of which need to be taken as soon as possible, and some that can be taken up to five days after sex. Talk to your health care provider or visit your nearest Planned Parenthood clinic as soon as possible.

When should I take a pregnancy test?

You won’t know if you’re pregnant for at least 2 to 3 weeks after intercourse. Although you might be tempted to take a pregnancy test the next day, that’s still too early: It takes at least 10 days for the fertilized egg to attach to the wall of the uterus and produce enough of the pregnancy hormone hCG to be detected by even the most sensitive pregnancy tests.

Some people worry that they may be pregnant because they experience pregnancy-like symptoms a few days after sex. In reality, you can’t tell if you’re pregnant just by “feeling pregnant,” and actual pregnancy symptoms don’t appear until at least 10 days after conception.