Pregnancy Without Penetration — Is It Possible?
💗 Could I be pregnant without sex? — Take the Quiz!
- Pregnancies without sex are very rare but possible.
- A pregnancy necessitates sperm reaching and fertilizing the egg-cell.
- Profemina’s counseling experience confirms that any worry about a possible splash pregnancy is usually unfounded.
Could I Be Pregnant Without Sex? — Quiz
Are you facing this situation? Answer three multiple-choice questions about your circumstances and receive an expert evaluation within seconds on your screen.
What Is Foreplay?
Foreplay, aka making out, outercourse, or dry humping, involves physical intimacy but does not necessarily include nakedness. It can involve any physical touch leading to arousal, except for penetrating sex.
Foreplay is making love without sex.
How Exactly Does a Pregnancy Happen?
Conception occurs when a sperm (male reproductive cell) encounters an egg in one of the woman’s two fallopian tubes, midway between the ovary and the uterus.
For more detailed information on the process of fertilization, go to How Does Pregnancy Happen? — Conception.
Are Virgin Pregnancies Possible?
Since making out does not involve sexual intercourse, the likelihood of it leading to pregnancy (aka virgin pregnancy or splash pregnancy) is rare but possible. According to a 2013 study by Herring et al., the probability of getting pregnant without sex is 0.8%.
343217462 | SpeedKingz | shutterstock.com
Having frequently encountered this concern in counseling, we can confirm that making out very rarely leads to pregnancy.
How Can a Splash Pregnancy Happen?
Sperm journey toward the egg cell once they come into contact with the woman's cervical mucus. The female body produces this mucus close to the time of her ovulation.
Since cervical mucus is formed in the cervix and is secreted through the vagina, it can be located at the vaginal opening. Therefore, during foreplay, sperm cells could come into contact with this mucus and find their way through the vagina to the egg. The cervical mucus acts like an elevator, transporting the sperm cells upward. Outercourse can, therefore, lead to pregnancy.
Whether or not a pregnancy results from making out largely depends on semen reaching the vicinity of the vaginal area.
Our counselors can confirm that any concern about a possible pregnancy without sex usually subsides because conception did not occur.
Your concern could become a catalyst for a conversation with your partner/boyfriend about having kids. This would be an opportunity to discuss whether you want children and how you would deal with an unplanned pregnancy.
Can You Get Pregnant from Pre-Cum?
During male arousal, pre-ejaculate (aka pre-cum) is released, which can contain sperm cells. Since even a single sperm cell is sufficient to fertilize the egg, conception could occur without cum, although this is highly unlikely. So, ejaculation is not a prerequisite for sperm to reach the egg.
ℹ️ For more information, go to Can You Get Pregnant from Pre-Cum?
While the exact statistics are unknown, we must acknowledge that pregnancy from pre-cum is possible.
Pregnant Though Fingering or Anal Sex?
Knowing the facts about sperm will clarify whether or not you can get pregnant from fingering or anal sex:
- As soon as sperm comes into contact with air, rather than the vagina, the sperm cells shrivel up. They cannot be revived in any kind of liquid.
- Sperm can not live in bathwater or swimming pools. They can neither survive temperatures greater than 40º C (104º F) nor tolerate the water’s pH level.
- Dry sex, i.e., sexual arousal through rubbing against each other while wearing clothes, does not lead to pregnancy. It is impossible for sperm cells to move on skin, unaided by cervical mucus. Therefore, they cannot travel toward the vaginal entrance on their own. In addition, any fabric (e.g., underwear) forms a barrier in which sperm cells are likely to be caught and shrivel up.
- However, fingering could bring semen into contact with cervical mucus, making conception possible.
Conclusion: For a pregnancy to become possible, fresh sperm has to enter the vagina. This must take place during the woman's fertile window for the woman to be able to conceive.
Pregnant From Making Out — When Is It Possible and When Is It Unlikely?
Here is an overview showing when pregnancy is possible and when it is unlikely:
Unplanned Pregnancy Without Sex — Helpful Considerations
Are you worried about being pregnant — even though you haven't had "real" sex?
- 🤰Perhaps the Online Pregnancy Test can help. Pick out your concerns and symptoms in a multiple-choice format and receive an immediate detailed evaluation!
Consult a doctor if you are noticing symptoms that may indicate a pregnancy. Your healthcare provider can help you gain certainty.
- 🧑(Suspecting a) pregnancy — How soon to see a doctor?
Pregnant and wondering where to go from here?
- 🙎♀️ Young and Pregnant: What are my options? Take the Quiz
- ⚖️ Wondering whether to have an abortion? Take the Abortion Test
Want to know more about the questions and experiences of others?
"I can't think about anything else: Am I pregnant? What should I do if I am? About me: I am 18 and am spending a gap year abroad. I met someone here, and we’ve gotten very close physically — but without actually having sex. I am still a virgin. I am still afraid, though, that something could have happened. (...) I’ve had some cramps in my abdomen the last couple of days, similar to period pain..."
→ This experience was shared (in German) on profemina's open forum.
Worried You Might Be Pregnant Without Penetration? You are not alone!
🤔 We frequently encounter the concern of virgin pregnancy. Take the Early Signs of Pregnancy Quiz to see if you are having similar symptoms.
💊 Are you considering Plan B? Let us help you in your decision-making process with the Morning-After Pill Quiz.
Our tests were created with your well-being in mind.
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