Safe Days: Can You Get Pregnant After Menstrual Cycle?

Is it a safe period? Is there a chance of getting pregnant?

The first day of menstruation was on November 29, and it ended on December 5 and 6.
On December 7, I used my fingers to stimulate my girlfriend.
I had previously touched my own penis but washed my hands afterward.
After washing my hands, I dried them on my pants, and there was a small amount of fluid that leaked onto the outer layer of my pants.
I dried my hands on the front of my thighs, and I believe I did not touch the groin area.
Is there a chance of pregnancy in this situation? Is December 7 considered a safe period? Is it possible that I had sperm on my hands during the drying process? I also wiped my hands on my clothes before inserting them; does this further reduce the likelihood of pregnancy? Additionally, my menstrual cycle is not very regular; it has typically been in the 30s but has been around 40 days in recent months.

E, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2019/12/08

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

The first day of menstruation was on November 29, and it ended on December 5 and 6.
On December 7, I used my fingers to stimulate my girlfriend.
I had previously touched my own penis but washed my hands afterward.
After washing, I dried my hands on my pants, and there was a little fluid that leaked onto the outer layer of my pants.
I dried my hands on the front of my thighs, and I believe I did not touch the groin area.
Is there a chance of pregnancy in this situation? Answer: There is no chance of pregnancy.
Is December 7 considered a safe period? Is there a possibility that I had sperm on my hands during the drying process? I also wiped my hands on my clothes before inserting them.
Does this further reduce the chance of pregnancy? Answer: There is no chance of pregnancy.
P.S.
My menstrual cycle is not very regular; it used to be in the 30s days, but in the past few months, it has been in the 40s days before it comes.

Reply Date: 2019/12/08

More Info

Understanding the concept of safe days in relation to the menstrual cycle is crucial for anyone looking to avoid unintended pregnancies. The menstrual cycle can vary significantly from person to person, and even from month to month for the same individual. In your case, you mentioned that your menstrual cycle has been irregular, ranging from 30 to over 40 days. This irregularity can complicate the prediction of ovulation and, consequently, the identification of "safe days."
To begin with, let's clarify what "safe days" are. Safe days refer to the days in a woman's menstrual cycle when the likelihood of becoming pregnant is low. Typically, this is calculated based on the ovulation cycle. Ovulation usually occurs about 14 days before the start of the next menstrual period. For a woman with a regular 28-day cycle, this would mean ovulation occurs around day 14. However, since your cycle is irregular, pinpointing ovulation becomes more challenging.

In your situation, you mentioned that your last menstrual period started on November 29 and that it ended around December 6. If we assume a typical cycle length, ovulation would likely occur around 14 days after the first day of your last period, which would be approximately December 13. Therefore, the days leading up to ovulation, particularly from December 7 to December 13, would be considered the "fertile window," during which the chances of conception are higher.

Now, regarding your specific question about the likelihood of pregnancy from the activities on December 7: While the act of manual stimulation (using fingers) generally carries a lower risk of pregnancy compared to vaginal intercourse, there are still factors to consider. If there was any residual semen on your fingers from previous contact with your penis, there is a theoretical risk of transferring sperm to your girlfriend's vagina. However, the likelihood of sperm surviving on your fingers and successfully leading to pregnancy is quite low, especially if you washed your hands thoroughly before engaging in any sexual activity.

You also mentioned that you wiped your hands on your clothing before manual stimulation. This action further reduces the likelihood of sperm being present on your fingers. Sperm requires a specific environment to survive, and exposure to air, fabric, and other surfaces can significantly diminish its viability.

In summary, while there is a theoretical risk of pregnancy from the activities described, the actual likelihood appears to be quite low, especially considering the timing in relation to your girlfriend's menstrual cycle. However, it is essential to remember that no method of contraception is 100% effective, and if you are concerned about the possibility of pregnancy, it may be wise to consider using more reliable forms of contraception in the future.

If you or your girlfriend have any further concerns or questions about your reproductive health or contraception options, I recommend consulting with a healthcare professional who can provide personalized advice based on your specific circumstances.

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