Expert: Norman Solberg - 7/6/2010

Question
Hi,

I've been doing some research and want to know the likelihood of getting pregnant from precum.  It's my understanding that precum itself contains no sperm, however if a man has ejaculated within the previous few hours before intercourse then sperm could be contained in the precum and still be viable.  What in fact are the chances that a pregnancy could occur in this scenario?

Thanks!

Answer
I think your understanding is generally thought to be true, although I don't think anyone can say that precum never contains sperm.  It's thought that if a man has ejaculated recently, sperm will be present (reduced or eliminated if he urinates).  However, withdrawal is generally not a very effective method of birth control.  If withdrawal is always done correctly, about 4 women out of 100 get pregnant in 1 year.  That suggests that either they're doing it wrong, or there are sperm in precum.  For the usual use of withdrawal as birth control, about 25+ women out of 100 get pregnant in a year.