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Answers for Women: Am I Pregnant After Dry Sex, Making Out with Clothes On?

 
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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

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I and my girlfriend dry humped in around end of May and beginning of August. I did not ejaculate and we had not genital contact, how we did have oral sex. For whatever time my penis was out I did not release any fluid out of my genital

She has not had her periods..she has nausea, cramps, white vaginal secretion. She has shifted to another country to study at a university and she is pretty stressed about it. Can this be the reason?

July 31, 2017 - 6:17pm
(reply to Anonymous)

I think the chances are slim of her being pregnant. Stress, hormones, birth control and weight loss or weight gain are all factors that could be the reason for a delayed period. The slight chance of pregnancy boils down to what you were wearing while dry humping if you were wearing thin layers or underwear it is possible that maybe some of your Precum came into contact with her however I believe the chances of conceiving that way are very SLIM. Good luck I hope everything works out in the end.

August 1, 2017 - 11:52am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Anonymous

My bf friend was on the top of me and he cum. Then, his cum becomes on my clothes. we both were wearing complete clothes. Now, I feel my breast become larger and my period will be after 9 days. Please, Do you think I am pregnant?

Thank you

July 27, 2017 - 11:18pm
HERWriter Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hello Anon

Pregnancy cannot occur by being fully clothed, even with ejaculation on your clothes.  It cannot get through clothes and up a vagina to cause pregnancy. Your symptoms may be due to PMS but they are not pregnancy related.

Susan

July 28, 2017 - 6:02am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Hello, 15 days after my last period I kissed my bf and I had vaginal secretion... . And now I am not having periods, is thereany changes of pregnancy... I think somehow we may have genital contact and his secretion may come in contact with my vagina... We both were wearing jeans. Is that possible

July 24, 2017 - 5:36pm
HERWriter Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hello Anon

You can't get pregnant from kissing with clothes on. You need to have sexual intercourse with a male (both naked) and be ovulating. 

Susan

July 25, 2017 - 5:47am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I made out with my bf and had my underwear off. I made him come using my hands, but there were no direct contact between his cum and my private part. I then put on my underwear and washed my hands. Do I have any chance of getting pregnant?

July 17, 2017 - 8:30pm
HERWriter Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hello Anon

There is no risk; a woman needs to have intercourse and be ovulating to get pregnant.

Susan

July 25, 2017 - 5:48am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Hi
Can it is possible to get pregnant when:
1: It was 4th day of my periods
2: I was wearing underwear and cotton pajama
3: my bf ejaculte over my pajama near my thigh, to be exact middle of my tigh
It there any chance of pregnancy?? Can sperms traveled from thighs and cross two layers of clothing??
I am really tensed and stressed. guide me please.thanks

May 26, 2017 - 6:38am
Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hello Anonymous,

No risk for pregnancy. Sperm cannot travel through clothing.

Maryann

May 26, 2017 - 8:44am
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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