What are the chances of getting pregnant from 'pre-ejaculatory fluid'?

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Chances of Pregnancy From Pre-ejaculatory Fluid

Pre-ejaculatory (or pre-cum) fluid does have sperm in it but is a very, very minimal amount.

Technically speaking pre-ejaculate does NOT actually contain sperm in and of itself but can pick up leftover sperm from the man's urethra from previous ejaculations. The chances are EXTREMELY LOW low that a woman gets pregnant from pre-ejaculate. But, this does not mean there is NO chance a woman can get pregnant from pre-ejaculate.

Below are 3 research studies Where scientists prove there is no sperm in pre-ejaculate fluid- (Once again this does not mean that you 100% can't get pregnant).

Study 1

PIP: A study in Boston, Massachusetts, and another study in New York City examined samples of pre ejaculate fluid from HIV seropositive and HIV seronegative men to determine whether HIV was or was not present in pre ejaculate fluid. The researchers found macrophages and CD4 lymphocytes in most samples, indicating that HIV was present. The more significant finding, however, was that most pre ejaculate samples did not contain any sperm and those that did had only small clumps of a very small amount of sperm which seemed to be immobile. A larger study is needed to verify these results. If these results are confirmed, they may dispel the myth that pre ejaculate fluid contains sperm. An ongoing WHO/USAID study shows that the pregnancy rate caused by men with 3 million sperm/ml/ejaculation is very low; fertility clinics consider men with a sperm count of no more than 5 million/ml to be infertile, particularly if is there is low motility. The average ejaculation has about 100 million sperm/ml, but about 10 million sperm pass through the cervical mucus, about 1 million make it to the top of the uterine tract, and just about 100,000 sperm reach the fallopian tubes. Thus, only a couple of sperm, assuming motility, would reach the fallopian tubes in the case of the pre ejaculate samples with some sperm, which tended to be immobile (sperm levels only in the 1000s). Thus, the probability of pregnancy is very love if pre-ejaculate fluid enters the vagina. Pre-ejaculate fluid of 6 of the 9 HIV seropositive donors in Boston and 6 of the 14 HIV seropositive donors in New York contained HIV, regardless of symptom status or antiretroviral therapy status. Thus, the risk of HIV transmission may be higher than unplanned pregnancy, so people should use condoms before the penis enters the vagina, mouth, or anus. -PMID: 12286905 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] .

Study 2

Journal of Assisted Reproduction Genetics, 2003 Apr;20(4):157-9. Zukerman asked "Does preejaculatory penile secretion originating from Cowper's gland contain sperm?" - conclusion: "Preejaculatory fluid secreted at the tip of the urethra from Cowper's gland during sexual stimulation did not contain sperm and therefore cannot be responsible for pregnancies during coitus interruptus."

Studies 3 and 4

Here's another two studies that were studying the HIV viral load in pre-ejaculate and incidentally showed that there isn't sperm:

Ilaria G, Jacobs JL, Polsky B, Koll B, Baron P, MacLow C, Armstrong D, Schlegel PN. Detection of HIV-1 DNA sequences in pre-ejaculatory fluid. Lancet 1992;340:1469.

Pudney J, Oneta M, Mayer K, Seage G, Anderson D. Pre-ejaculatory fluid as potential vector for sexual transmission of HIV-1. Lancet 1992;340:1470.

What these scientific findings suggest is that precum either does NOT contain sperm AT ALL, or that there is so little that the chances of pregnancy are very VERY low. The chances are not eliminated but they are so low that becoming pregnant from pre-cum easily becomes urban myth.

Also remember, if the man has ejaculated before you have intercourse again, the chances are increased for conception because semen will still be left within the penis itself and further along the male reproductive organ.

Opinions and additional information:

• I've been pregnant from pe-cum] so yes you can get pregnant from it. be VERY careful !

• You should rely on an alternative birth control methods such as Birth Control Pills which are very easy to start off with. They are very effective and your local Clinic can provide them with 100% confidentiality, for those teens like me who find themselves worried of the consequences of a few nights of adventure. Be safe and think of your future, just ware a condom.

• Obviously, use contraception and if you miss a period or have signs of pregnancy get tested and find out.

• Don't forget your common sense in light of science (e.g. use contraception, always, and every time!). More importantly, don't use other's common sense in place of science (e.g. people think scaring you will make you use contraception and/or stop having sex. Psychology tells us punishment (scaring you) is one of the least effective ways to stop you and change your future behavior - from a behavior stand-point that is. Only you can stop yourself in the end, and only you can discipline yourself. With your actions you will reap your own rewards. Think smart, plan ahead, and act smart.)

• My boyfriend and i have been using the pull out method for almost for years and we still have sex every single day....i haven't gotten pregnant but everyone's different and were in a very committed relationship.

• Note that some people say the chances of getting pregnant from pre-cum is the same as with a complete ejaulation. This is not exactly true. Not all precum contains sperm and it never contains as much sperm. If the man ejacluated recently and did not urinate between sexual episodes, there is a chance of some sperm left in the urethra mixing with the new precum. Urinating in between would flush out the sperm and decrease pregnancy risk to very low levels.

• I thought if my boyfriend pulled out that we would be safe. Now I am five weeks pregnant. If you don't want a baby now use protection.

• Although it is a slight chance, it is still a chance! So no glove, no love.

• If pre-ejaculatory fluid containing sperm was on the condom, that sperm may have gotten into her vagina. Your girlfriend would have had to be at the point in her menstrual cycle when she was ovulating, which is typically 14 days be

• According to a study done I found online, in a sample of couples (or just men) studied precum contained no active sperm. However, this is just from the sample they took. You are playing with fire. Using the withdrawal method works 96% when used correctly all the time. However, with typical use it only works about 80% of the time.

• The chances of you getting pregent with pre cum is very high and it depends on the males sprum count

• The chances are extremly high, precum happens to just be liquid that aids the semen threw the vas deferans

• Extremely low, precum comes from the Cowper's glands which do not make semen. The sperm comes from the testes in an ejaculation. There should not be sperm in precum unless you previously ejaculated and have not gone pee to wash out any sperm left in the urethra

• Very high. You can get pregnant from precum just as easily as regular cum.

• Although you are playing with fire, some 25y rold couples I know use the pull out method for months, which would totally not work if you believe the above answer. REPEAT You are playing with fire! Why bring this up? You might make the mistake of thinking that since you made one mistake (precum) then you might as well do the full thing. TOTALLY not true! Pulling out works, just poorly. Not pulling out will get you pregnant in 1 or 2 or 3 shots. Only do this with someone you wont mind spending 20 years with. Use a condom or GET her on the pill!

• My answer: My boyfriend and I have been using the "pull out" method (also known as withdraw) for two years and I have never gotten pregnant. Let me preface what I am about to say with this, first of all we are both adults and are in a long-term, committed, secure,happy, monagomous relationship. And we talked and discussed this together BEFORE we ever went into the bedroom. More importantly I advise using condoms each and everytime you have sex in order to prevent things a lot scarier, life altering and life threatening than pregnancy...and let me tell you pregnancy if you're not ready,and/or young, VERY is a scary, life altering thing! That being said pulling out itself has a HIGH rate of pregnancy as stated above, and should never be used as a "pregnancy prevention" method. My boyfriend and I use "natural family planning" in addition to pulling out. Natural Family Planning uses your body's cues (which you have to pay attention to) so you know when you're about to, or are, ovulating so you know NOT to have unprotected sex if you are trying to prevent pregnancy. The "problem" if you'd like to call it that is 1)it doesn't protect againist sexually transmitted diseases and 2)you have to be pretty attentive and responsible to do it. Therefore if you're not monagomous, and/or don't want the responsibility of natural family planning USE A CONDOM instead of pulling out...Of every 100 women whose partners use withdrawal, 27 will become pregnant during the first year of typical use. Of every 100 women whose partners use withdrawal, four will become pregnant during the first year of perfect use, not to mention all the STDs and STIs you can get. If you want more information on birthcontrol check out http://www.plannedparenthood.com

• Oh and also, if you're interested in using hormonal birthcontrol (pills, shots, patch, etc. etc.) ask the doctors what it can do to your body! I was on it for almost a year and it totally messed my system up, and because of it will never use hormones again! Also read and read and read and ask questions! There are somethings that the doctors won't tell you, but that your mom, aunt, friends, other females can!

• According to a study done I found online, in a sample of couples (or just men) studied precum contained no active sperm. However, this is just from the sample they took. You are playing with fire. Using the withdrawal method works 96% when used correctly all the time. However, with typical use it only works about 80% of the time.

• I had sex one time in a nine month span.... he pulled out and actually had to finish off himself for a few seconds to ejaculate.... all that got in me was precum and I am now 11 weeks pregnant..... if you dont want it, dont risk it

• Actually, The guy must have been at his peak making him urge extremly to ejaculate causing him to pullout. There might be a chance that he cummed a little bit inside but held it and pulled out. After pulling out the urge goes away therefore making him work himself to finish ejaculating. I say this of experience.

• You can get pregnant from it! Just as much as a regular ejaculation. It has sperm. Make sure you the guy always has a condom on anytime the penis is erect before it goes anywhere near the vagina. Don't think he can just pull out at the last second and everything will be okay. Thats not how it works.

• The chances are low, but definately pre-ejaculation of any amount can get a girl pregnant, at any time of her menstrual cycle. The body is a wonderous and worrying thing.

• There is no way around the fact that you need to use a form of birth control to somewhat ensure not becoming pregnant and you should ALWAYS use a condom. Any sort of ejactulation can cause pregnancy during intercourse.

• The pull out method is one of the worst methods, very risky, somewhere around a 30% or more chance of becoming pregnant. USE A CONDOM. I know it changes the how much feeling there is, but think of the consequences if you get pregnant (a baby to take care of forever).

• If you and your significant other are at the point where you may have sex, be prepared and carry a condom with you. Don't carry it in a wallet or a car compartment where it will be exposed to high temperatures for long periods of time because it will weaken the latex and may break easier. Cool and dry areas are the best. Also, if you use a lubricant, use a water based lubricant. An oil-based lubricant will weaken the latex an create holes and rips in it very easily, VERY BAD.

• Another better way to prevent pregnancy is of course birth control pills. I think you can go to a clinic to get them so that other people won't know that you are using it. Be aware that birth control pills don't protect against STDs though, only a condom can do that, and condoms don't protect against all STDs either. Good luck, BE PREPARED and be safe.

• People always make pre cum seem like it's something scary and that it can always get you pregnant(which is not true). I know that there are websites that give out different info about pre cum. But the very truth is that pre cum has been found not to contaim sperm. The ONLY way it cam contain sperm is from a previous ejaculation in which you did not urinate. Therefore, it is a very low chance of someone becoming pregnant due to pre cum, if the person did not have a previous ejaculation, it is highly unlikely. At first I was confused about whether or not pre cum had sperm in it because of the different web sites but then I actually found out that pre cum does NOT have sperm in it. However, you should use a condom just in case of any emergency...

• and you should be careful with who you have sex with.

• Well lets just hope you are right, we dont seem as worried as we were.. but Ive been researching alot of things. I guess its hard to know until her period is supposed to happen.

• The statistic is that a woman will get pregnant within a year of using the pull out method. Precum has sperm in it. There is a risk for pregnancy, use protection if you don't want a baby.

• I have been having monogamous sex with the same partner for 9 years using the withdrawal method, and we haven't got pregnant using it. EVER. I have had 2 children with him, as well, without withdrawing, because we were ready. Why are some websites trying to scare women? Just state the facts people, not your "beliefs".

• I know that mostly teenagers who are currently having a pregnancy scare is reading this so i will give my answer on experience. About 3 weeks ago while have sex with my girlfriend the condom ripped. I did not ejaculate but did ejaculate before without urinating. I was so stressed out about the worries of her being pregnant. Yes there is a chance of being pregnant but it is really low. I suggest you take a pregnancy test to find out right away. I would also suggest telling your parents because its at times like this that they can become really helpful and supportive. Good luck and try not to worry too much.

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