Pregnancy Risks: Key Factors and Concerns for Couples

What is the likelihood of getting pregnant?

Hello Doctor: On the night of October 9th, I had intimate relations with my girlfriend in the bathroom.
I had an erection and put on a condom right away (I had an erection with some pre-ejaculate during kissing, and I washed and dried myself with body wash before putting on the condom).
During the process, there was only friction on her lower body and I used my hands to touch her (my hands were also washed and dried with body wash and soap).
There was no penetration or ejaculation, but my fingers did go in slightly.
After the friction, my girlfriend immediately rinsed off.
When I removed the condom, it was tightly stuck at the glans, indicating a proper fit.
I also checked and there was no white discharge on my penis.
My girlfriend's last menstrual period was from October 23 to October 28, with a cycle of about 30 days, occasionally delayed by 1-2 days.
1.
After washing and drying my penis with body wash, is the sperm survival rate high?
2.
Can sperm survive after being washed and dried with body wash? Is it dangerous if I insert my fingers?
3.
What is the overall chance of pregnancy in this situation?
4.
My girlfriend noticed an increase in body temperature and more discharge after the night of October 10.
Does this indicate ovulation?

Niming, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2017/11/14

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

On the night of October 9th, I had intimate relations with my girlfriend in the bathroom.
I had an erection and put on a condom right away (I had an erection with some pre-ejaculatory fluid during kissing, and I washed and dried myself with body wash before putting it on).
During the process, I only rubbed her genital area and touched her with my hands (my hands were also washed and dried with body wash and soap).
There was no penetration or ejaculation, but my fingers went in slightly.
After we finished, my girlfriend immediately rinsed off.
When I removed the condom, it was tightly stuck at the glans, which indicates a proper fit, right? I also checked the penis and there was no white residue.
My girlfriend's last menstrual period was from October 23 to October 28, with a cycle of about 30 days, occasionally arriving 1 to 2 days late.
1.
After washing and drying the penis with body wash, is the sperm survival rate high?
Answer: The survival rate is low.
2.
Can sperm survive after washing and drying with body wash? Is it dangerous to insert?
Answer: Sperm cannot survive; inserting would not be very dangerous.
3.
What is the overall chance of pregnancy in this situation?
Answer: The overall chance of pregnancy is low.
4.
My girlfriend felt an increase in body temperature and an increase in discharge after the night of October 10.
Does this indicate ovulation?
Answer: It is possible.

Reply Date: 2017/11/14

More Info

Understanding pregnancy risks is crucial for couples, especially when navigating intimate relationships and potential conception. Based on your description, let's break down the concerns and provide clarity on each point.

1. Sperm Viability After Washing: Sperm can be sensitive to various substances, including soaps and detergents. If you washed your penis with body wash and rinsed it thoroughly before engaging in intimate activities, the likelihood of sperm surviving is significantly reduced. Most soaps can kill sperm due to their chemical composition. Therefore, while it’s not impossible for some sperm to survive, the chances are quite low if proper washing was done.

2. Risk of Pregnancy from External Contact: The scenario you described involves no penetration and no ejaculation, which greatly reduces the risk of pregnancy. However, it’s important to note that pre-ejaculate fluid (pre-cum) can contain sperm, albeit in lower quantities. If there was any transfer of this fluid to your girlfriend's vaginal area, there could be a minimal risk of pregnancy. However, given that you did not ejaculate and were careful, the overall risk remains low.

3. Temperature and Discharge Changes: Your girlfriend's observation of an increased body temperature and changes in discharge could indicate that she is approaching ovulation. Typically, during the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle, women experience a rise in basal body temperature and changes in cervical mucus, making it clearer and more abundant. If her last menstrual period was from October 23 to October 28, and she has a regular cycle of about 30 days, she may be nearing her ovulation window around October 10. This is a critical time for conception, but since you did not have penetrative intercourse, the risk remains low.

4. Overall Pregnancy Risk Assessment: Considering all factors—no penetration, no ejaculation, and the washing of genitalia with soap—the overall chance of pregnancy is minimal. However, it’s essential to remember that no method of contraception is 100% effective, and if there are concerns about potential pregnancy, a home pregnancy test can be taken after a missed period for confirmation.

5. Psychological Considerations: It’s natural to feel anxious about potential pregnancy, especially if it’s unplanned. Open communication with your partner about concerns and feelings can help alleviate anxiety. If either of you feels overwhelmed, consider discussing these feelings with a healthcare provider or counselor.

6. Future Precautions: If you wish to avoid pregnancy in the future, consider discussing reliable contraceptive methods with your partner. Options include condoms, birth control pills, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and other forms of contraception that can help manage reproductive health effectively.

In summary, while the risk of pregnancy from the described encounter is low, understanding your partner's cycle and maintaining open communication about sexual health is vital. If there are any further concerns or if your girlfriend experiences unusual symptoms, consulting a healthcare professional is always a good step.

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