Can You Get Pregnant from Fingering? the Risks

Can I get pregnant?

Hello, doctor.
On the night of December 15th, Friday, I engaged in some intimate touching with my girlfriend.
There was no direct contact or penetration of our genitalia, but I did touch my penis and then touched her vulva, inserting my finger about one knuckle deep.
During this process, I did not ejaculate, but I did not use a condom either.
I am concerned about the possibility of pre-ejaculate or semen being transferred to her.
After the incident, we were both worried about the possibility of pregnancy.
Approximately 20 hours later, my girlfriend took an emergency contraceptive pill (Yuting pill).
After taking it, she did not experience any side effects, and as of today, she has not had any bleeding or menstrual symptoms.
Since this was our first experience, we are both very anxious about the possibility of pregnancy.
I would like to ask the doctor how high the chances of pregnancy are in our situation.
For reference, my girlfriend's last menstrual period was from December 8th to December 12th, and the encounter occurred on December 15th.
She is still a virgin and has only had my finger inserted about one knuckle deep.
I have read reports online about virgins becoming pregnant from contact with semen, which has heightened our concern.
I would appreciate your guidance on this matter.
If I have offended in any way, I apologize.
Thank you, doctor.

ian, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2017/12/20

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

On the evening of December 15, my girlfriend and I engaged in some intimate touching, but there was no direct contact or penetration of our sexual organs.
I touched my penis and then touched her vulva, inserting my finger about one knuckle deep.
During this process, I did not ejaculate, but I did not use a condom, and I am concerned about the possibility of pre-ejaculate or semen being transferred to her.
After this encounter, we were both worried about the possibility of pregnancy.
Approximately 20 hours later, my girlfriend took an emergency contraceptive pill (Yuting), and after taking it, she did not experience any side effects.
To date, she has not had any bleeding or menstrual symptoms.
Since this was our first experience and we are both very anxious about the possibility of pregnancy, I would like to ask the doctor how high the chance of pregnancy is in our situation.

Answer: The chance of pregnancy is close to zero.

For reference, my girlfriend's last menstrual period was from December 8 to December 12, and the encounter occurred on December 15.
She is still a virgin, and the only thing that happened was my finger being inserted about one knuckle deep.
I have seen reports online about virgins becoming pregnant from being touched by semen, which has made us very worried about the possibility of pregnancy.
Therefore, we are seeking your professional opinion.
If I have offended in any way, I apologize.
Thank you, doctor.

Reply Date: 2017/12/20

More Info

When it comes to the question of whether you can get pregnant from fingering, the short answer is that the risk is very low, but not entirely absent. In your case, since there was no direct genital-to-genital contact or penetration, and you did not ejaculate, the chances of pregnancy are significantly reduced. However, there are a few important factors to consider.

Firstly, pre-ejaculatory fluid, also known as pre-cum, can contain sperm. If there was any sperm on your fingers from touching your penis and then touching your girlfriend's vulva, there is a theoretical risk of pregnancy. However, the likelihood of sperm surviving long enough to cause pregnancy in this scenario is quite low, especially if there was no ejaculation involved.

Secondly, your girlfriend took a morning-after pill (emergency contraception) shortly after the encounter. This is a proactive step that can significantly reduce the risk of pregnancy if taken within the appropriate time frame, which is typically within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. Since she took the pill about 20 hours after the incident, she has taken the right action to minimize her risk of pregnancy. It is common for women to experience no immediate side effects after taking the pill, and not all women will have bleeding or changes in their menstrual cycle right away.

Regarding your concerns about the possibility of pregnancy, the combination of no direct genital contact, no ejaculation, and the use of emergency contraception means that the risk of pregnancy is very low. However, it is important to remember that no contraceptive method is 100% effective, and the only way to confirm whether or not your girlfriend is pregnant is through a pregnancy test, which can be taken after her expected period date.

In terms of sexual health education, it’s crucial to understand how different forms of contraception work and the importance of using protection to prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you and your girlfriend are considering becoming sexually active, discussing contraception options with a healthcare provider can provide you with more information and help you make informed decisions.

Lastly, if your girlfriend does not get her period within a week of when it is expected, it would be advisable for her to take a home pregnancy test or consult with a healthcare professional for further guidance. This will provide clarity and peace of mind for both of you.

In summary, while the risk of pregnancy from fingering in your described scenario is low, it is not zero. The use of emergency contraception further reduces that risk. Open communication about sexual health and contraception is essential for both partners to feel secure and informed in their sexual relationship.

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