Can You Get Pregnant from Genital Friction? Risks and Emergency Contraception

Is it possible to get pregnant?

The dates of my menstrual cycle in the past three months were 3/31, 5/1, and 5/31.
On 6/22, I engaged in genital rubbing with my boyfriend without wearing underwear (just briefly), and there was no penetration.
Afterward, I cleaned myself, and then I used my hand (my boyfriend's hand did not touch himself).
However, I was worried that pre-ejaculate fluid during the rubbing might lead to pregnancy, and I was also concerned about whether my ovulation period had shifted.
Therefore, I took emergency contraception (Ella) within about 6 hours (even earlier).
After taking the medication, I ate immediately.
About 3 hours later, I noticed some white discharge and felt sleepy, and I also experienced diarrhea (I had been drinking yogurt in the past few days) and bloating.
After 6/23, when I pressed on my breasts, they felt painful, and I continued to feel sleepy.
On the morning of 6/25, I felt slightly nauseous (just a feeling, not actual vomiting or dry heaving).
I think it might be psychological, and I also found online that these could be side effects.

Could you please tell me if these symptoms are side effects or signs of pregnancy? I have been very worried about the possibility of being pregnant, which has caused me a lot of stress.
Based on what I described, do you think I needed to take emergency contraception? What is the likelihood of pregnancy in this situation? Is the chance of pregnancy close to 0 or even impossible?

Niming, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2019/06/25

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

In the past three months, my menstrual dates were 3/31, 5/1, and 5/31.
On 6/22, I had genital friction with my boyfriend without wearing underwear (just briefly), and there was no penetration! Afterward, I cleaned myself, and then I used my hand (my boyfriend's hand did not touch himself).
However, I was worried that the pre-ejaculate fluid during the friction could lead to pregnancy, and I was also concerned about whether my ovulation period had shifted since I was unsure of my menstrual cycle.
Therefore, within about 6 hours (even earlier), I took emergency contraception (Ella).
I ate immediately after taking the pill, and about 3 hours later, I noticed some white discharge and felt sleepy.
I also experienced diarrhea (I had been drinking yogurt in the past few days) and bloating.
After 6/23, when I pressed on my breasts, they felt painful, and I still felt sleepy.
On the morning of 6/25, I felt slightly nauseous (just a feeling, not actually vomiting or dry heaving).
I think it might be psychological, and I read online that these could be side effects.
Doctor, could you tell me if these are side effects or early signs of pregnancy? I've been very worried about being pregnant, which has caused me a lot of stress.
Based on what I described, do I need to take emergency contraception? Also, what is the likelihood of pregnancy? Is it close to 0 or even impossible? The likelihood of pregnancy is close to 0 or even impossible.

Reply Date: 2019/06/25

More Info

When it comes to the question of whether you can get pregnant from genital friction, it's important to understand the mechanics of conception and the risks involved. Genital friction, also known as outercourse, typically involves rubbing the genital areas together without penetration. While this method is often considered a safer alternative to penetrative sex, there are still risks associated with it, particularly concerning the transfer of pre-ejaculatory fluid (pre-cum) which may contain sperm.

In your situation, you mentioned that there was no penetration, but you are concerned about the possibility of pregnancy due to the presence of pre-ejaculatory fluid during genital friction. It is indeed possible for pre-ejaculatory fluid to contain sperm, although the concentration is usually lower than in ejaculate. If any sperm were to come into contact with the vaginal area, there is a potential, albeit small, risk of pregnancy.

Given that you engaged in genital friction on June 22 and took emergency contraception (Plan B) within approximately six hours, you have taken a proactive step to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy. Emergency contraception is most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, and its efficacy decreases the longer you wait. Since you took it promptly, you significantly lowered your chances of becoming pregnant.

Regarding the symptoms you are experiencing after taking the emergency contraception, such as breast tenderness, fatigue, and mild nausea, these can indeed be side effects of the medication. Emergency contraceptive pills can cause hormonal fluctuations in your body, leading to various symptoms that may mimic early pregnancy signs. It is not uncommon for individuals to experience changes in their menstrual cycle after taking emergency contraception, including delayed periods or changes in flow.

As for the likelihood of pregnancy in your case, considering that you did not have penetrative intercourse and took emergency contraception, the chances of becoming pregnant are quite low. However, it is essential to keep in mind that no contraceptive method is 100% effective, and individual circumstances can vary.

If you are still concerned about the possibility of pregnancy or if your symptoms persist, it would be wise to take a home pregnancy test a few days after your expected period date. This will provide you with a clearer answer regarding your pregnancy status. Additionally, if you experience severe symptoms or have ongoing concerns, consulting a healthcare provider for further evaluation and guidance is recommended.

In summary, while there is a minimal risk of pregnancy from genital friction, your prompt use of emergency contraception significantly reduces that risk. The symptoms you are experiencing are likely side effects of the medication rather than signs of pregnancy. Always feel free to reach out to a healthcare professional for personalized advice and support regarding your reproductive health.

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