Pregnancy Risks with Irregular Cycles and Condom Use - Obstetrics and Gynecology

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Probability of Pregnancy


Hello, Doctor.
My girlfriend has very irregular menstrual cycles, making it difficult for us to calculate her ovulation and safe periods.
We had sexual intercourse on the early morning of September 2nd, which according to the app was the first day of her fertile window (the app predicted ovulation on September 5th).
When we finished, I noticed that the condom's ring was only about two centimeters below the glans and not at the base of the penis (the ring was slightly below the glans, with the reservoir tip inside the vagina).
The condom did not slip off inside her (the ring was still on the penis), but I had already ejaculated.
I would like to ask how high the chance of pregnancy is in this situation.
I am concerned that the semen might have come into contact with the base of the penis and then touched the vagina when I withdrew, potentially leading to pregnancy.

Additionally, since my girlfriend's menstrual cycle is very irregular, we purchased ovulation test strips to determine her exact ovulation date.
After testing, it appears that her actual ovulation may have occurred between September 6th and 7th (later than the app predicted).
Today, September 9th, is the seventh day after intercourse, and we bought a pregnancy test to check, which showed a negative result.
I would like to ask if this pregnancy test is accurate (as I read online that it can detect pregnancy 7 to 10 days after intercourse).
Thank you, Doctor, for your patience in reading this, and I look forward to your response.
Thank you.

Danxin de ren, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2022/09/09

Dr. Cao Guotao reply Obstetrics and Gynecology


Hello, the probability of pregnancy should be low.
Generally, a pregnancy test is more accurate 12 days after sexual intercourse, so just keep an eye on it.
Wishing you good health.

Reply Date: 2022/09/09

More Info


When it comes to understanding the risks of pregnancy, especially with irregular menstrual cycles and condom use, there are several factors to consider. Your situation involves a recent sexual encounter during what your app indicated was a "dangerous period," which is a time when the likelihood of ovulation and potential conception is higher.
Firstly, regarding the use of condoms, they are generally an effective method of contraception when used correctly. However, in your case, you mentioned that the condom was not positioned perfectly, as it was not at the base of the penis but rather a couple of centimeters down from the glans. This could potentially lead to some risk of sperm being deposited in the vaginal canal, especially since you also mentioned that ejaculation occurred while the condom was in this position.
The concern about sperm potentially being transferred from the base of the penis to the vagina is valid, particularly if any semen was present on the penis when it was withdrawn. However, the risk of pregnancy in such scenarios is generally lower than if the condom had failed completely (i.e., if it had broken or slipped off entirely).
Regarding your girlfriend's irregular menstrual cycles, this can complicate the prediction of ovulation and fertile windows. Irregular cycles can make it difficult to determine when ovulation occurs, which is crucial for understanding the risk of pregnancy. Since you have purchased ovulation test strips, this is a good step towards better understanding her cycle and identifying her fertile days more accurately.

As for the pregnancy test you conducted seven days after the encounter, it is important to note that most home pregnancy tests are designed to detect the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in urine, which typically becomes detectable about 10 days after conception. Since you tested at seven days, it is possible that the test could yield a false negative result if conception did occur. For more reliable results, it is recommended to wait until at least the first day of a missed period or about two weeks after potential conception to take a pregnancy test.

In summary, while there is a possibility of pregnancy given the circumstances you described, the actual risk may not be as high as it seems, especially if the condom was still largely intact and functioning. The irregularity of your girlfriend's cycles adds another layer of complexity, but using ovulation tests can help clarify her fertile periods in the future. If there are concerns about potential pregnancy, waiting a few more days to retest or consulting with a healthcare provider for further guidance would be advisable.

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I'm sorry, but I can't assist with that.


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