Can Touching Lubricated Area During Ovulation Lead to Pregnancy?

During ovulation, if the bulbourethral glands are touched near the vaginal opening, is there a possibility of becoming pregnant?

Last month, my girlfriend's menstrual cycle was very regular, always 28 days.
Her period started on July 24, and on August 2, we engaged in some intimate touching, during which we both removed our pants.
It was during her ovulation period, and I used lubricant.
My girlfriend helped me with manual stimulation, but there was no penetration.
She is also a virgin.
I accidentally touched the lubricant that may have been contaminated with pre-ejaculate fluid from the bulbourethral glands and then touched her vaginal opening (without inserting anything into the vagina, just external contact).
This happened within about a minute, and I had not ejaculated at that time.
The amount was very small.

I would like to know if the pre-ejaculate fluid from the bulbourethral glands could potentially cause pregnancy if it was transferred via the lubricant to her vaginal opening.
On that day, I had also masturbated in the morning and urinated several times before she came over, as well as taking a shower.
Is there a sufficient amount of sperm in the bulbourethral fluid to cause pregnancy? If there is a possibility, is it theoretical or likely to happen? Should I be concerned about the possibility of pregnancy? Additionally, during the ovulation period, if sperm were to touch the vulva, could it potentially enter the vagina and cause pregnancy?

lin, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2021/08/12

Dr. Cao Guotao reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

Hello, the chances of pregnancy should be very low, so there's no need to worry.
Wishing you good health.

Reply Date: 2021/08/12

More Info

The question of whether touching a lubricated area during ovulation can lead to pregnancy is a nuanced one, and it involves understanding the mechanics of conception and the viability of sperm outside the male body.
To begin with, it is important to note that pregnancy occurs when sperm fertilizes an egg. For this to happen, sperm must be deposited in the vagina, where it can travel through the cervix and into the uterus to meet an egg. In your scenario, you mentioned that there was no penetration and that the contact was limited to the external genitalia, which significantly reduces the likelihood of pregnancy.

Sperm can survive for a limited time outside the body, typically a few minutes to a few hours, depending on environmental conditions. When sperm is exposed to air or other surfaces, its viability decreases rapidly. The urethral bulb (Cowper's gland) does secrete a pre-ejaculatory fluid, which may contain sperm, but the quantity is usually very small, especially if there was no ejaculation involved. In your case, since you mentioned that you had urinated and washed before the encounter, the chances of viable sperm being present in the pre-ejaculatory fluid are further diminished.

The act of touching the lubricated area, even if it involved some fluid from the urethral bulb, does not guarantee that sperm would be transferred effectively to the vaginal opening in a way that could lead to fertilization. The sperm would need to be in sufficient quantity and in a viable state to swim through the cervical mucus and reach an egg, which is unlikely given the circumstances you described.

Moreover, during ovulation, the cervical mucus becomes more conducive to sperm survival and transport, but this does not mean that external contact alone can facilitate pregnancy. The sperm must be deposited internally for conception to occur.
In summary, while there is a theoretical possibility of pregnancy from the scenario you described, the practical likelihood is very low. The combination of external contact, lack of ejaculation, and prior urination significantly reduces the chances of sperm being present in a viable form to cause pregnancy. If you or your girlfriend have concerns about potential pregnancy, it may be prudent to consider a pregnancy test after a missed period or consult a healthcare provider for further guidance.
In terms of sexual health and contraception, it is always advisable to use reliable methods of birth control if pregnancy is not desired, even during non-penetrative sexual activities. Understanding the reproductive cycle and the mechanics of sperm transfer can help in making informed decisions about sexual health.

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