It’s probably one of the most talked about questions in life with regard to pregnancies: Can a girl get pregnant if sperm is on the outside near her vagina, but doesn’t go inside? The short answer is yes, it is possible, but the chance is very low. Still, it’s important to understand how this can happen so you can make safe and informed choices.
What Is Sperm and What Does It Do?
Sperm are tiny cells made by a man’s body. They are found in semen, which is the white or cloudy fluid that comes out of the penis when a man ejaculates. Each drop of semen contains millions of sperm. These sperm are bred to swim and find a woman’s egg.
If a sperm reaches the egg and joins with it, that can lead to a pregnancy. Sperm are very small, but they move quickly. Their point is to swim through the vagina and uterus until they reach the fallopian tubes, where they may find an egg.
How Does a Person Get Pregnant?
In most cases, when a sperm cell meets up with an egg within a woman’s body, usually in the fallopian tube, conception occurs. That is why sperm must find their way into the vagina first and then travel through the cervix and into the uterus. No sperm comes into the body from the outset, so it is seldom that pregnancy will happen.
There occur very few and rare conditions under which sperm can actually reach an egg even if it is outside the body but very close to the vaginal opening.
What Happens If Sperm Is Externally Introduced?
If sperm come outside the vagina, the risk of pregnancy is lower, compared to that when it enters inside; only it isn’t zero risk.
They can swim around too. If the sperm is fresh and really close to the vaginal opening, they have a chance of making it through. This is if the sperm is in a wet or moist environment, which keeps it alive and helps it to move.
Moreover, if that gets on a finger, hand, or object, and pokes inside the vagina following the ejaculation, this can push the sperm inside, which might lead to pregnancy.
When Is the Risk Higher?
The chance of conception is higher around the time of ovulation in a girl. Ovulation is that point at which the ovum is released from the body, occurring about halfway in the menstrual cycle.
The chances of getting pregnant are greatest if sperm enter the vagina immediately before or during ovulation, when the ovum is coming down from the ovary and awaits its encounter with a sperm.
Thus, even if semen is on a person’s hand, on a finger, an object, and is then immediately inserted into the vagina, sperm could be pushed inside such a person and, conceivably, cause pregnancy.
When Is Pregnancy Least Likely?
The further away the sperm is from the vaginal area, the lower the chance of pregnancy. Sperm cannot swim up-wards, is usually quickly killed once air enters into contact with the liquid, and by that time, it has dried in any case.
Most importantly, the distance of the semen from the vaginal area makes it a less favorable position. If semen is released onto the stomach, thighs, or clothes, then probability is really low due to the inability of sperm to magically travel such distances or penetrate clothing.
In other words, no egg to fertilize means that if the girl isn’t ovulating, the sperm can’t really fertilize anything at all.
Can a Girl Get Pregnant if Sperm Is on the Outside During Ovulation?
Yes, especially around ovulation, if the semen is placed close to the vaginal opening, can a girl get pregnant if sperm is on the outside becomes a question with a possibly affirmative answer. The sperm’s mobility and survival in moist environments make it possible, even without penetration.
What About Pre-ejaculate?
Most people think that for one to become pregnant, there has to be a full ejaculation. This is not correct. Sperm can be found in such small quantities in pre-ejaculate.
Pre-cum is a clear fluid that exits the penis before ejaculation. It acts as a lubricant for the passage of semen through the urethra. Though pre-cum has fewer sperm than your average ejaculation, it can still cause a pregnancy if it comes into contact with the vaginal opening.
This is also the reason that rubbing or touching without intercourse will still have a slight risk if the pre-cum touches the vagina.
Pregnancy Without Penetration?
Pregnancy without penetration is rare, but it can happen. If semen is expelled very close to the vagina or if semen is transferred by hands, fingers, or objects, there is still the possibility of sperm getting to the egg.
Again, while this is not common, it is something to keep in mind. The mere fact that the penis did not go inside the vagina does not mean that pregnancy is impossible.
How To Avoid Getting Pregnant?
If you are not ready for pregnancy or are not interested in having one, any sexual act warrants a protective measure. The condom is one of the easiest and most effective forms of birth control. Not only does the condom prevent sperm from entering the vagina, but it also protects against STIs.
Other birth controls are pills, implants, IUDs, patches, etc., blocking the release of the egg from the body or making it very hard for sperm to get to it.
Mistakes can happen, and unprotected sex can be a reason for thinking about emergency contraception, or morning-after pill. This can be taken within a few days to help prevent pregnancy.
What Should You Do If You Are Worried?
Do not panic if you think that there is even a slight chance that the intimate part of the body may become a bit close to the vagina with sperm and you are worried about the possibility of pregnancy. A person may talk to a doctor or nurse or visit a health clinic as Planned Parenthood. They will respond to inquiries and give advice or emergency contraceptive methods.
Acting quickly is better. Emergency pills are more effective when taken within 72 hours; however, some types work up to five days after the risk.
Conclusion
Can a girl get pregnant if sperm is on the outside? The answer is yes inside the vagina is usually not required for sperm to get pregnant, but they can cause a pregnancy if they’re very close to the vaginal opening and the timing is just right. This is what makes it important to know how the body works, how pregnancy happens, and how to protect oneself. Being informed helps to make the right decisions and feel more confident. Use these resources so that you can become more knowledgeable about your body. Anytime you have any sort of doubt or question, don’t hesitate to ask any trusted adult, doctor, or health provider about it-they should be able to provide you with insight about what is indeed a very serious and crucial matter. There is no silly question concerning your body and health.
