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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 have had four emergency contracptive in four months cause I am paranoid i will get pregnant every time me and my partner had sex. I have not had my period after taking the last ecp. I took the pill on 1st and got light period on 3rd to 5th. My period which was due on 18th hasn't come yet. M I pregnant ? It's been 4 weeks delay. Was the light period an actual period ? After ecp we did have sex however we began unprotected then used condom.

May 21, 2017 - 3:04pm
Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hello Anonymous,

You have overused the emergency contraceptive, and I think caused a serious hormonal imbalance.

Please call and speak with either your gynecologist or primary care physician, today.

Maryann

May 26, 2017 - 8:42am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Hi! Me and my boyfriend had sex last month by april12,2017 after that my period starts and it lasts on 5 days after. Were not totally had sex because we still wearing our underwear and shorts. I am worried because until now i still have no period. I should have the second week of this month but until now i shouldn't have. What's wrong? Am I pregnant? Please answer me. I am paranoid of what's going on.

May 18, 2017 - 1:41am
Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hello Anonymous,

Since you had a normal period following sex in April, you did not become pregnant.

Relax. There was no risk for pregnancy when you were both wearing underwear and shorts.

Stressing out will only further the delay.
Maryann

May 26, 2017 - 8:39am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

My boyfriend and I were dry jumping. He was wearing boxers and jeans and I was wearing jeans but no underwear. He didn't ejaculate but I'm not sure if he pre-cumed or not. I'm terrified that I might be able to get pregnant like this! Please answer me. I've never had any sexual experience and have no idea what could or could not be possible here

May 16, 2017 - 2:19am
Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hello Anonymous,

Because you were both wearing jeans, there was no risk for becoming pregnant.

Regards,
Maryann

May 26, 2017 - 8:37am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Me and my boyfriend made out with our underwears on before 2 days of my menstrual cycle's last month date. And now I haven't got my periods even after 6 days of my date. Am I pregnant?

P.s. My periods were regular before

May 3, 2017 - 3:12pm
Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hello Anonymous,

There was no risk for becoming pregnant because you were both wearing underwear.

Stress can be the cause of the delay. Relax and your period should start.

Regards,
Maryann

May 4, 2017 - 9:24am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

can my gf get preg like this:we were dry humping and i ejaculated in my underwear (i read that sperm cant go trough clothes so thats ok)so i went in the bathroom to clear myself up i wiped my self up and then go on to finger her i didnt wash hands but before i fingered her we were hugging and kissing so can sperm go trough the wipe on my hand survive me touching her with my hands (when i was hugging her) and then after that when i was fingering her to get her preg? im pretty sure that my fingers were dry when i fingered her but still can you answer me please

May 2, 2017 - 10:11am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Me and my gf were making out, she had only her panties on which were wet. I had my underpant and jeans on. I ejaculated on my underpant will she be at risk of pregnancy?

April 24, 2017 - 9:09am
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