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Question:
I recently had sex with my girlfriend, and I did not use a condom. I clearly pulled out before I ejaculated but what I want to know is: can she possibly be pregnant even if I did not ejaculate inside of her? What are the odds? How should I approach her about my question, because I have not talked to her about this yet.

Answer:
by Konstance McCaffree: ()
You didn't mention if your girlfriend was on any other method of contraception but since you are worried about pregnancy I must presume not. There certainly is a risk that you have put semen in her vagina even if you pulled out before you ejaculated. Prior to orgasm/ejaculation males have something commonly called pre-cum that is released a few minutes to seconds before orgasms that is to lubricate the urethra and remove any acids that are left there by your urine. That pre-cum can have sperm in it. You can't feel it, but it can be there. I wouldn't say the risk is high because it is a small amount, but many pregnancies have occured even when a partner "pulled out". I think you need to talk to your girlfriend about both of you using contraception anyway so that you aren't ever in this situation again. Pregnancy happens too often in young healthy people as you are. I wonder why she didn't insist that you wear a condom on this last occasion. Women need to protect themselves and take responsibility for it as well as you do. I hope that you will sit down with her and talk to her about how you feel on this. If you were worried enough to write to us, it is a concern that she should share with you. If she doesn't know there is a risk she won't get a pregnancy test in the next 2-3 weeks and she should, so that if she is pregnant she has all her options open to her. I hope you will work together as a couple to protect yourself in the future and work on this situation now so that the two of you take responsibility, help each other with the test, and then get good contraception that both of you agree upon.

Reviewed by: Patricia Fawver Ph.D. in Sexology

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