Can You Get Pregnant from Pre-Ejaculate?

The big question is whether pre-ejaculate can have sperm in it. The answer is: sometimes, yes. The Cowper’s glands themselves do not make sperm, but pre-ejaculate can pick up sperm left in the urethra from a previous ejaculation. If a man has ejaculated recently, some sperm may still be in the urethra. When he gets aroused again, this sperm can mix with pre-ejaculate and come out before he actually ejaculates.

Studies have found that a small number of men do have sperm in their pre-ejaculate. For example, one study found that about 16% of pre-ejaculate samples had moving sperm, which means there is a chance of pregnancy even if the man pulls out before ejaculating.

Urinating after ejaculating can help flush out leftover sperm from the urethra, which might lower the risk. However, this is not a guarantee: some sperm could still be present.

There is a real risk of pregnancy from pre-ejaculate, especially for people who use the withdrawal method as their main birth control. The exact chance is hard to measure, but because pre-ejaculate can have sperm, it is possible to get pregnant this way.

The risk is higher if sex happens during the woman’s fertile window, which is usually about days 10–14 in a regular 28-day menstrual cycle. During this time, the egg is ready to be fertilized, so any sperm: including from pre-ejaculate: can cause pregnancy.

The withdrawal method is less reliable than other forms of birth control because it is hard to control exactly when pre-ejaculate comes out and whether it contains sperm. Even if no full ejaculation happens inside the vagina, there is still a risk of pregnancy.

The withdrawal method, or "pulling out," is not as effective as other types of birth control. With typical use, it is about 78% effective, which means about 22 out of 100 couples using only this method will have an unintended pregnancy in a year. With perfect use, the effectiveness can go up to 96%, but it is very hard to use perfectly every time.

The main reasons it fails are:

• Pulling out too late

• Pre-ejaculate containing sperm

• Needing a lot of self-control and experience

Because of these reasons, the withdrawal method is less reliable than condoms or birth control pills. Using condoms along with withdrawal can help lower the risk even more.

• Can urinating before sex reduce the risk?

  • Yes, urinating before sex can help flush out sperm left from a previous ejaculation, but it is not 100% effective. There can still be some sperm in the urethra.

• Is there a safe time in the menstrual cycle to use withdrawal?

  • The risk is lower outside the fertile window, but it is never completely safe to rely only on withdrawal. Sperm can live inside the body for up to five days, so pregnancy is still possible.

• Does emergency contraception help if there is a risk from pre-ejaculate?

  • Yes, emergency contraception (like Plan B or Ella) can help prevent pregnancy if taken soon after unprotected sex. The copper IUD is also a very effective emergency option and can be used up to five days later.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Pre-ejaculate can sometimes contain sperm, so there is always a risk of pregnancy if you use only the withdrawal method. The timing of the menstrual cycle and whether the man has urinated after his last ejaculation can affect the risk, but do not remove it completely.

For better protection, consider using more reliable birth control methods like condoms, birth control pills, or IUDs. If you are worried about pregnancy, talk to a healthcare professional for advice on the best contraceptive options for you.