Can pre-cum get me pregnant?

If you’re having sex, pre-cum might be on your radar. But that begs the question: What the hell is it in the first place? We’re setting the record straight about what pre-cum is and whether or not it can get you pregnant.

What is pre-cum?

Pre-cum, also referred to as pre-ejaculation, is a small amount of fluid that secretes from the penis after arousal (by which we mean getting turned on). It’s an involuntary body function that responds to stimulation, causing fluid to come out of a penis before ejaculation. It’s thought that its biological purpose is to prepare the urethra (the tube in the penis that urine and semen come out of) for an efficient ejaculation. Think of going down a water slide without water — you go much faster once the slide is wet.

Pre-cum is a thin clear liquid that is produced by the accessory glands next to the penis. Naturally, it doesn’t contain any sperm, but it can mix with sperm that’s still present in the urethra. Whether it’s before or during vaginal penetration, pre-cum is often something you can’t feel happening or control. Even though pre-cum’s impact on your sexual health and the likeliness of getting pregnant can be kind of confusing, there’s some key info to keep in mind so you can protect yourself from STIs and prevent pregnancy.

Can you get pregnant from pre-cum?

Yes, it is possible to become pregnant from pre-cum. Misinformation has led people to believe that pre-cum does not contain any sperm. This is false and research from the past decade has shown that sperm can be present in pre-cum. It only takes a single sperm to fertilize an egg, so even if pre-cum has a small amount of sperm in it and it enters the vagina, it could still fertilize an egg and lead to a pregnancy.

The following scenarios look at the likelihood of becoming pregnant after exposure to pre-cum:

• While using an IUD. IUDs are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, making them one of the best regular birth control options. IUDs are so effective because they’re implanted within the uterus, lowering the chance of user error. Unlike birth control pills, you won’t forget to take it because it’s already in you. Because it’s so effective at preventing pregnancy, IUDs can also prevent pregnancy from pre-cum at the same rate.
• While on birth control. Birth control pills are 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. When taken correctly, they can significantly reduce your chance of becoming pregnant from pre-cum or ejaculation.
• While using a condom. When used correctly, condoms are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy. That being said, user error can be high with condoms. It can slip, leak, tear, or fall off completely. The typical use average is about 87% effective at preventing pregnancy. Approximately 15 out of every 100 people who rely on condoms as their only birth control get pregnant in any given year.
• After vasectomy. After a vasectomy, there is a 0.24% risk of failure, which would require doing the procedure again. Following the procedure, doctors recommend using regular birth control until a semen analysis can be performed two to three months following the procedure.
• During your fertile window. There are about six days during your menstrual cycle when you are most likely to become pregnant. Those are the five days before through the 24 hours after ovulation. Since this is your most fertile window, the likelihood of getting pregnant is high if you’re not using regular birth control.

Does it contain sperm?

Pre-cum fluid does not naturally contain any sperm, but sperm can get into it. Semen left in the urethra, following ejaculation from previous intercourse or masturbation, can mix with the pre-cum on its way out. Peeing before intercourse can help reduce the chance of sperm leaking into pre-cum as it flushes out lingering semen, but it won’t completely eliminate the risk.

Studies in the past decade have shown a significant portion of participants with semen present in pre-cum. That, combined with the fact that most people can’t feel when pre-cum is happening, makes the pull-out method a less than perfect way to prevent pregnancy.

Risk of sexually-transmitted infection (STIs)

There is a chance of contracting an STI even if your partner pulls out of your vagina before ejaculation. STIs can transfer through skin-to-skin contact, blood, semen, open sores, or bodily fluids. Pre-cum is considered to be one of the “bodily fluids.” Condoms can help you reduce the risk of giving or getting an STI when used correctly.

Use emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy

Since semen can be found in pre-cum, the pull-out or withdrawal method is not a totally reliable type of birth control. Daily birth control, IUDs, and condoms are better options that can boost your chances of preventing pregnancy.

If you end up using the pull-out method without another form of protection, be sure to have a morning-after pill like Julie’s on hand. These pills can help you prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, but it is most effective the sooner you take it. The Julie Morning After Pill™ and other OTC brands are available and legal in all 50 states and don’t require an ID, credit card, parent or prescription to purchase.

While we love to share useful and helpful information, the above shouldn’t replace the advice of your healthcare professional. For questions about birth control and other women’s health issues, please talk to your doctor.