My partner and I have sex with our clothes on?
It is possible to become pregnant while engaging in sexual intercourse while fully clothed, if the man ejaculates and the semen soaks through the clothing and reach your vagina. You are at greatest risk if the clothing is thin and you rub together for a long time after he ejaculates. Regardless of whether your bodies are separated by material, clothing is not a form of birth control. Clothing does not prevent semen form entering the vagina. The only protection from pregnancy is the consistent use of some form of birth control, such as the pill or condoms.
I have unprotected sex on the first day of my period?
Pregnancy is possible if unprotected sex occurs during a woman's period; however, it is least likely to occur during the first few days of her menstrual cycle. The only way to be sure whether you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. The pregnancy tests given by a health care provider are strongly recommended, because they are the most accurate. A home test may also be used, but be sure to follow all directions carefully and correctly for best results.
A guy ejaculates outside the vagina, or if semen lands outside or near the
vagina?
The likelihood of becoming pregnant from semen landing on the body, outside the vagina, or near the vagina is very low. Sperm that stays outside the vagina cannot unite with an egg and fertilize it. If semen is ejaculated or rubbed near the vagina, there is a chance of pregnancy if some sperm find their way inside the vaginal canal.
Semen lands on clothing?
Probably not. If a male ejaculates on a female's clothing and she is sure that none of it was located in or near her vagina, there is very little risk of pregnancy. It is difficult for sperm to make their way through densely woven clothing fibers, but cloth that is loosely woven is more easily penetrable. If you still have concerns, make sure semen does not land near the vagina regardless of whether both of you are clothed; and if that does happen, change clothes immediately and rinse yourself off thoroughly.
I take "the pill" sporadically?
There is a serious risk of pregnancy if the pill is taken irregularly or infrequently. The most common way women become pregnant while taking the pill is by being late to start their next series of pills. Make sure you are punctual with taking the first pill and follow your physician's guidelines for when pills are missed. The only instance when missing pills does not increase the risks of pregnancy is when any of the last 7 pills in a 28-day package are missed.
My partner and I engage in oral sex? What if we engage in oral sex with our clothes on?
Oral sex, whether it be with clothes on or fully naked, does not increase the chance of pregnancy. Pregnancy occurs when a sperm unites with an egg. Since oral sex does not bring sperm and eggs together, it is highly unlikely that pregnancy will occur.
My partner and I engage in dry sex?
The chances of becoming pregnant from engaging in dry sex are small. As long as you and your partner do not have an ejaculation that can get near your vagina, the risk of becoming pregnant is highly unlikely.
My partner and I are fooling around and the male ejaculates without penetration?
The answer is "probably not." It is very doubtful that sperm, which are released outside of the vagina, are able to cause pregnancy, as long as they are not rubbed or pushed near the vaginal opening.
My partner and I masturbate each other?
In theory, there should be no risk of pregnancy due to mutual masturbation. In practice, however, risks cannot be ruled out if he ejaculates on or near your vaginal opening. As long as neither you nor your partner has any traces of semen on your hands or other body parts used to stimulate each other, the risk of pregnancy should be small. But, say for example, the male stimulates himself, ejaculates in his hand, then proceeds to stimulate the female with his hand; there is a chance that sperm can find their way into the vagina.
My partner and I use the "pull-out method?"
The "pull-out method" - which is called withdrawal or "coitus interruptus" - is not a good mode of birth control. There is a high risk of pregnancy, since a man may unknowingly release quantities of sperm inside the vagina before his orgasm (from the Cowper's Glands). Sperm can also find their way into the vagina from outside the opening, if the male is slow to pull out and start to ejaculate before he has completely removed his penis from the vaginal area.
I am too young to even have my period? Or if I don't have my period yet?
A young woman is still capable of becoming pregnant even if she has not yet started to menstruate. See our section on puberty in women. If a young woman becomes sexually active before her first period, it is possible for her to become pregnant the first time she ovulates. Since the egg is released before her first menstruation, she may be pregnant and not realize it for a long time. This is why it is vital to use a form of birth control such as the pill or condoms if you plan on being sexually active.
© - Reproduced with permission of SexInfo, University of California at Santa Barbara, 2007.