Pregnancy anxiety
Hello Doctor, my girlfriend has very irregular menstrual cycles, which makes 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 securely 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 semen may have come into contact with the base of the penis and then touched the vagina upon withdrawal, potentially leading to pregnancy.
Is the likelihood of pregnancy in this case close to zero?
Additionally, since my girlfriend's menstrual cycle is very irregular, we purchased ovulation test strips to determine her exact ovulation date.
Testing indicates 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, which showed a negative result.
I would like to ask if this pregnancy test is accurate (as I read online that testing can be done 7 to 10 days after intercourse).
Thank you, Doctor, for your patience in reading this, and I look forward to your response.
Thank you.
Bbb, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2022/09/11
Dr. Zhang Kunmin reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello, the failure rate of correctly using condoms is still around 5%.
As long as there are active sperm in the vagina during the ovulation period, there is still a possibility of pregnancy regardless of the method of intercourse.
I recommend that if your period is a week late, you should take a urine test to check for pregnancy.
Thank you! Wishing you peace and health.
Dr.
Zhang
Reply Date: 2022/09/11
More Info
When it comes to concerns about pregnancy anxiety following unprotected sex, it's important to understand the mechanics of conception and the reliability of pregnancy testing. Based on your description, you had unprotected intercourse on September 2nd, during what you identified as a potentially fertile period, given your girlfriend's irregular menstrual cycle. You expressed concern about the positioning of the condom during ejaculation and whether this could lead to pregnancy.
First, let's address the mechanics of how pregnancy occurs. For conception to take place, sperm must travel through the vaginal canal to fertilize an egg. If the condom was not fully in place and some sperm were to come into contact with the vaginal area, there is a possibility of pregnancy, albeit the risk is significantly reduced if the condom was still mostly intact and not fully dislodged. Given that the condom was still on the penis and not inside the vagina, the likelihood of sperm entering the vaginal canal is lower, but not entirely zero.
Regarding your concern about the timing of ovulation, it is crucial to note that sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for up to five days. If your girlfriend's ovulation occurred shortly after your sexual encounter, the risk of pregnancy increases. However, since you mentioned that you later tested for ovulation and found that it might have occurred a day or two later than the app predicted, this could potentially lower the risk of pregnancy from that encounter.
You also mentioned that you took a home pregnancy test seven days after the sexual encounter, which returned a negative result. Home pregnancy tests are generally reliable and can detect the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in urine, which is produced shortly after a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. However, for the most accurate results, it is recommended to wait at least until the first day of a missed period, or about two weeks after potential conception, as this allows for sufficient hormone levels to build up for detection.
In your case, testing seven days post-intercourse may yield a false negative, especially if conception occurred. If your girlfriend's period does not arrive as expected, it would be wise to retest a few days later or consult a healthcare provider for a blood test, which can detect pregnancy earlier than urine tests.
In summary, while there is a possibility of pregnancy given the circumstances you described, the risk is likely lower due to the condom remaining mostly intact. The negative pregnancy test at seven days post-intercourse is a good sign, but if there are any further concerns or if her period does not arrive, it is advisable to retest or seek medical advice. It's also important to consider discussing contraceptive options with your partner to prevent future anxiety regarding unprotected sex.
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