Can you get pregnant from precum if you're ovulating?
Charlotte Thomas
Social EditorCan you get pregnant from precum, how likely is it, and just how effective IS the ‘withdrawal’ method? Here’s what you need to know.
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If you’ve had sex without contraception, or are using the withdrawal method, you may be wondering if it’s possible to get pregnant from precum. And how likely it is, particularly when you’re ovulating.
Here’s what you need to know.
What is precum?
Precum is fluid that’s released from the penis when it's erect and before climax. It's also known as pre-ejaculate and is a form of lubricant.
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Precum is an involuntary bodily reaction, meaning it's not possible to control whether or not it happens, or when.
Does precum contain sperm?
Precum doesn’t normally contain any sperm. However, semen CAN leak into precum.
This is because sperm can stay in the urethra – the tube that allows semen and urine to pass through the penis – after ejaculation. It then mixes with precum as it’s released.
Some small studies have found between 16% and 37% of precum contains semen.
It's thought that weeing before sex may help flush out any semen so there's less chance of it ending up in precum.
Can you get pregnant from precum?
Yes, you sure can.
If you're having sex without a condom, then any fluids released can end up inside your vagina and these fluids could contain sperm.
Even if you're using the withdrawal method – where the man pulls out before he ejaculates – precum may have been released, and in some cases this could be transporting sperm.
How likely is it to get pregnant from precum when ovulating?
If done perfectly every time, the risk of getting pregnant using the withdrawal method is just 4%.
In reality, though, no one's perfect. According to Sexual Health London, around 22% of women, or one in five, will become pregnant using the withdrawal method.
In comparison, the NHS says the implant and coil are around 99% effective. The contraceptive pill is typically 91% effective and condoms around 84%.
Remember, using the withdrawal method doesn't protect you from STIs, either. You and your partner may wish to get a sexual health check before using this method.
While there are no exact statistics on getting pregnant from precum when you're ovulating versus not ovulating, you are more likely to become pregnant when you're at your most fertile. This is why some women who use the withdrawal method also track their ovulation with a fertility tracker or period app.
It is possible to get pregnant from precum when you're not ovulating, too. This is because sperm can survive inside you for up to five days, so could still be there when you do ovulate.
I think I might be pregnant from precum: what should I do?
If you think you might be pregnant from precum and you don't want to be, you may be able to use emergency contraception.
The 'morning after pill' or copper coil can be used up to five days after you had unprotected sex. Talk to your pharmacist for advice.
After five days, emergency contraception won't be effective. In this case you'll need to wait for your period or take a pregnancy test.
You can take most pregnancy tests from the first day of a missed period or at least 21 days after you last had unprotected sex.
You can also get very sensitive early pregnancy tests, which can be used four to five days before your period is due. Some can even detect a pregnancy as early as eight days after conception.
Find out more about when you can take a pregnancy test here.
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