Table of Contents
Does precum really contain sperm? Will it enable you to get pregnant? Here’s the offer, based on two reproductive experts.
Pre-ejaculate (also known as precum) is definitely an elusive and confusing term. However for women searching to begin families (or don’t get pregnant), you need to be aware of details. Fact number 1? As the risks tend to be lower because of sperm fertility, it’s still greatly possible to conceive from precum.
“It’s believed that about 20 % of ladies could possibly get pregnant from withdrawal method during intercourse, therefore it is possible individuals women became pregnant from pre-ejaculate,” states Mike Hsieh, M.D., urologist and director of Men’s Health Center at UC North Park Health. Based on the Cdc and Prevention (CDC), the risk of conceiving from precum is really a lot more like 22 percent if you are while using withdrawal method.
Whether withdrawal is the primary contraception method or it is a method you from time to time depend on, here’s what you ought to learn about sperm, precum, and semen with regards to your odds of conceiving a child.
What’s Precum, Exactly?
“Pre-ejaculate fluid (precum) is really a component of physiology for lube created by glands of your penis to facilitate sexual activity,” states Dr. Hsieh. “The male organ glands producing the pre-ejaculate fluids don’t produce sperm (sperm is made of a mans testicles), which is thought that sperm based in the pre-ejaculate fluids are residual sperm within the urethra from prior ejaculations.”
This fluid is mainly comprised of mucus, proteins, and enzymes designed to balance its pH, making a man’s urethra less acidic regarding give sperm an improved chance of living in the super acidic vagina.
And based on Mitchell Creinin, M.D., doctor and director of family planning at UC Davis Health, precum involuntarily arrives before a guy physically feels a climax and ejaculates. “Precum is actually only the beginning from the ejaculate-there’s no ‘pre’,” states Dr. Creinin.
Can There Be Sperm in Precum?
The precum fluid itself doesn’t contain sperm, but sperm can leak in it because it travels lower the urethra, where residuals might be present from previous ejaculations, and could be released with precum just before semen. (For your information, semen contains sperm and it is the ejaculate that’s released during orgasm.) “Normal semen fluid from ejaculation contains more than 40 million motile sperms when compared with pre-ejaculate fluid, that has between no sperm to under 5 million swimmers,” states Dr. Hsieh.
One 2013 study done on sperm counts of precum in 27 men discovered that 41 percent from the men had sperm within their precum, 37 percent that was motile (healthy) sperm, while an identical 2016 study sperm fertility in precum found healthy sperm within 17 % of males.
Are You Able To Increase Effectiveness from the Withdrawal Method?
Essentially, the withdrawal technique is not iron-clad. “The recommendation I attempt to provide couples is when you are seriously using withdrawal, you need to be comfortable like a couple with concept of fully finishing sex (since precum does contain sperm),” states Dr. Creinin. “If you are planning to go in the vagina with no protection, you need to withdraw lengthy before finishing and being really stimulated. Taking out prior to the edge of orgasm doesn’t safeguard you.”
Which means you ought to be placing a condom on when the penis is erect, before skin-to-skin contact.
Can There Be In Whatever Way to avoid or Avoid Pre-Ejaculate?
Regrettably, there’s not a way to prevent precum, and also the amount is dependent upon many factors. “The quantity of pre-ejaculate fluid can differ based on your arousal level, hormonal status, hydration level, and medicines,” states Dr. Hsieh. “The only method to avoid [precum] is thru an obstacle [ex. condom]. People thought if your man urinates just before sex, it may wash the sperm from urethra, however this is misguided.”
However, if you opt to make use of the pull-out method, using another contraception method-like spermicidal lube-might help prevent pregnancy, however it depends on proper use. “Anything works better than withdrawal alone,” states Dr. Creinin. “If you are putting contraceptive (spermicidal) gel within the vagina coupled with withdrawal, you have to stick to the directions.” Based on the CDC, spermicide is just 28 percent effective.
The Conclusion
“Pre-ejaculate continues to be ejaculate-there’s sperm inside,” states Dr. Creinin. “The term ‘pre’ has to disappear.” If you are searching for methods to reduce your likelihood of getting pregnant because of precum, based on Dr. Hsieh, “Condoms are the most dependable way.”