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We are glad you found EmpowHER! A common question has been asked: Am I pregnant if I make out with a boy, while wearing clothes? Can I be pregnant without penetration (intercourse)?
There is so much misinformation about sex, and usually the limited information that is given resorts to using scare tactics, so much to where young women are afraid that when they merely look at a boy, or touch a towel that a boy has touched, that this could result in pregnancy!
Please know that becoming pregnant does not just "occur". Sperm must somehow enter the vagina in order to conceive; genitals must touch other genitals, or ejaculatory fluid must come into contact with a woman's vulva. Otherwise, there is no risk of pregnancy.
If you are wearing clothes or otherwise "making out", a congratulations is in order, as you are engaging in "safer sex" practices, which means you were able to express your physical or sexual feelings without putting yourself at increased risk for pregnancy. You can find more information below that pertains to your specific situation, based on our most commonly asked questions.
I missed my period and must be pregnant after making out or being sexual with my partner.
Late Period Fact: It is common for women to be late --or even miss a period entirely--for no "apparent" reason. Our ovulation and menstrual cycles do vary from month-to-month, and can change due to recent illness, new medication, excess stress. There are also medical reasons that women may stop menstruating, and can be evaluated by your doctor (doctors are not usually concerned if you are not experiencing any problematic symptoms until you have missed three periods in-a-row, called amenorrhea).
I am afraid of pregnancy because I did sexual things with my partner while wearing clothes, and I read that women can still become pregnant since clothes and cotton are porous (have holes).
Clothing Fact: Yes, our clothing, and specifically our cotton underwear, are porous. and, it is true that sperm are strong swimmers, but they can't swim through clothes. Sperm are strong swimmers only in liquid: specifically semen and vaginal secretions. Outside the bod, sperm are actually very fragile. Once semen is absorbed into the fabric of your clothes, they die.
Please know in regards to wearing clothes during physical intimacy: what is possible is some ejaculate could spill over the underwear, around the panty line, and possibly get near the vagina. Men's underwear that are not form-fitting can "leak" sperm, so the important thing to remember when "wearing" clothes: they are actually covering up your genitals, the underwear is not pushed to the side, and no fluid is leaking from the side of the underwear.
"Dry Humping" Fact: The term used when you are "going through the motions" of sex and rubbing bodies together, while wearing clothing is called "Outercourse" or "dry humping" because there are no bodily fluids (vaginal secretions or semen) that come into contact with your or your partner's genitals. Click on hyperlink to read more about Outercourse.
I touched some semen on the bed sheet, and want to know if I could get pregnant from this
Sperm Fact: Sperm can live three to five days when inside a woman's vagina during her most fertile time. Sperm can only live when they are in a liquid - like semen or in vaginal fluids- and do not survive long outside the body (including on sheets, towels, etc).
I made out with my boyfriend, and any possible sperm that got in me was quickly washed away after I went to the bathroom.
"Washing Away" Semen Fact: Showers do not wash out sperm that is already inside the vagina, same with urinating, as the urine would only wash away what is inside the urinary tract (semen would have entered into a separate opening, your vagina, and not your urethra).
I have wet spots from my partner's "cum" on the inside of my underwear and jeans, even though we were both wearing clothes.
Self-Lubrication Fact: Your being "wet" could be from your own lubrication, as your partner's semen would most likely not penetrate through multiple layers of clothing (and it would not be able to get you pregnant; see above). Any wetness is from your own vaginal secretions and is perfectly normal when you are sexually aroused.
We hope these answers to the most commonly asked questions were helpful for you and your specific situation! If you are ever in doubt, please talk with your health care provider about birth control options if you choose to be sexually active, and wear a condom during sexual activity (even if penetration or intercourse is not planned). Continue making safer sex choices!
Add a Comment280 Comments
Hello Anon
Home made pregnancy tests don't work. If you want to take one, get it from the drug store. It sounds like your period is on it's way but at this point, just take a test. That is what they are for.
Best,
Susan
January 22, 2018 - 4:24pmThis Comment
Is it more likely that my period is coming and I am just highly stressed and overthinking this than an actual pregnancy risk? Also thank you so much I am sorry for asking so many questions.
January 22, 2018 - 4:37pmThis Comment
Yes, it's far more likely your period is coming.
I don't understand the fight against taking a pregnancy test. You can ask a website a hundred questions and wait for replies - or - you can take a test and have one in about a minute!
I understand you are nervous and that's ok - but we are going around in circles and we simply don't have the manpower to keep answering one persons questions when all they need to do is take a test. When I though I was pregnant I took a test. That's what people do!
Take the test - you'll be ok :)
Susan
January 22, 2018 - 4:57pmThis Comment
Hi, I was just wondering if it’s possible for someone to get pregnant through precum being on the male’s fingers while fingering her and what are the chances (not sure if I was ovulating or not either )
January 12, 2018 - 12:12pmThis Comment
Hi, I was close with my partner, we never had sex. We were dry humping and i gave him a hand job and he fingered me. I was wearing underwear all the time and he was also wearing underwear all the time. I got my period last week but it lasted only 3 days. Could i be pregnant?
January 12, 2018 - 12:06amThis Comment
No. Even if your period was short you still got your period. Besides, if you were both wearing clothes there’s no possibility of penetration.
January 14, 2018 - 8:12amGood luck!
This Comment
I was hvg dry sex with my bf on new year’s (2018). I had my panty and leggings on, he had shorts and jeans on. I’m not sure if he cm or not. But, my leggings were dry, my panty was wet. Note that, we were standing against a wall. At one point where he carried me, but I almost fell, so he leaned me against the wall (I was sitting/resting on him, but I could feel his penis). Though I never felt my leggings get wet, only the panty. Is there a risk of me getting pregnant? I really need a reply really fast, bc I’m very paranoid and I just can’t concentrate on my education. Pls help me!!!! Thank you...
January 10, 2018 - 7:38amThis Comment
I was hvg dry sex with my bf on new year’s (2018). I had my panty and leggings on, he had shorts and jeans on. I’m not sure if he cm or not. But, my leggings were dry, my panty was wet. Note that, we were standing against a wall. At one point where he carried me, but I almost fell, so he leaned me against the wall (I was sitting/resting on him, but I could feel his penis). Though I never felt my leggings get wet, only the panty. Is there a risk of me getting pregnant?
January 9, 2018 - 5:41pmThis Comment
Hi, I was hanging with this guy either the day before or on the day of my ovulation. We didn’t have sex but he fingered me and then I gave him a handjob. I had pants on while doing so but he fingered me again afterwards. I was just wondering if there’s any chance of pregnancy from that considering I was ovulating and if I should be concerned? And what’s the chance of pregnancy on ovulation without having sex (if there is one).
January 1, 2018 - 11:38amThanks so much
This Comment
Hello Anon
You have to have unprotected intercourse to get pregnant - fingering won't get anyone pregnant...it's a finger. You were wearing pants before hand. This isn't how pregnancy works - you are safe.
Best,
Susan
January 1, 2018 - 4:14pmThis Comment