How often can precum cause pregnancy

Precum or pre-ejaculation is basically a natural way of your body to provide lubrication while having intercourse to make the process smooth. The precum, although, itself doesn’t carry any sperm but some semen may leak into it, increasing your chances of getting pregnant to 20% during unprotected sex just because of the precum. That means, 20 out of 100 women have chances of getting pregnant during unprotected intercourse per year even if their partner pulls out before ejaculation. 

What is a precum

The precum as the name suggests, comes before ejaculation and is released from the prostate's bulbourethral gland, also referred to as Cowper's gland. The main purpose of this fluid is to provide lubrication during sex while also restoring the pH balance and giving sperms a protective environment to live in an acidic vagina. 

When does precum is expelled

There is nothing you can do to stop the precum as it releases by an uncontrolled impulse just before ejaculation. Although the precum fluid itself does not contain sperm, it can pick some sperms from old ejaculations when it passes through the urethra and discharge together with it.  

Compared to ejaculate fluid, which includes more than 40 million motile sperms, precum sperm count ranges from having no sperm to having less than 5 million. Hence, if not posing some serious concerns it still has more chances of getting you pregnant during withdrawal technique than other birth control methods, including tablets or condoms. As it just takes a single sperm to get you pregnant.

Pre-cum is still likely to enter your partner's vagina even if you stop immediately before your climax during vaginal intercourse, which can result in an unforeseen pregnancy. 

Does precum causes pregnancy

Precum can result in pregnancy due to the live sperm- semen that may leak in it from previous ejaculation that had happened before it. Many people think there is no chance of accidental pregnancy because pre-cum doesn't contain sperm, however, that is not true. There is a lot of false information out there regarding this subject, but the short answer is: Yes, pre-cum can cause pregnancy.

How often can precum cause pregnancy

The probability of conception following exposure to pre-cum was examined in detail in a study conducted in 2013. The study done on the sperm counts of pre-cum in 27 males discovered that 41% of the participants had sperm in their pre-cum, with 37% of those being motile (healthy) sperm. While a similar study conducted in 2016 on the sperm count in pre-cum discovered healthy sperm in approximately 17% of participants. However, a study conducted in 2021 was unable to produce any definitive findings on sperm in pre-cum, indicating that further study is still required.

Does no ovulation make precum safe?

Yes, even if you aren't ovulating, you can become pregnant from precum. Although ovulation is the time when pregnancy is most likely to occur, a sperm’s unusual five day life span in your body increases its chances to latch on your egg if it is present in your reproductive tract prior to ovulation. 

Typically, ovulation takes place in the middle of your menstrual cycle that is 7 to 14 days prior to the beginning of your next period.

Since sperm can survive in your body for up to five days, having regular sex for the five days before or on the day of ovulation, also referred to as 'the fertile window,' increases your chances of getting pregnant.

Conclusion

Pregnancy from precum is very rare yet possible. Sperm from previous ejaculate fluid may still be present in the urethra and may combine with precum and enter vagina during penetration.

Approximately 20% of people who use the withdrawal approach have 20% chances of getting pregnant over the course of a year, so always go for safer options to avoid any unwanted or unintended pregnancy.

If you have any concern or a positive pregnancy test, consult a doctor. Your options for future birth control, abortion, and family planning can all be discussed with the doctor.