Mimi
Question
My boyfriend and I were having sex and he let out some lubrication. Is it possible for me to get pregnant? I'm not worried, I'm just curious.
In short, yes, that lubrication can result in pregnancy (pregnancy: The state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the uterus. Medically, someone is considered to be pregnant when an egg has been fertilized by sperm, cells divide, and the fertilized egg is implanted within the lining of the uterus.) .
Penises release special fluid during sexual (sexual: About or relating in some way to sex or sexuality.) arousal (arousal: A state of sexual excitement and interest that sends messages to the brain which create physical changes and sensations, such as increased blood pressure, erection, lubrication, loosening of the vaginal or anal muscles, and increased physical sensitivity.) in order to lubricate and neutralize the inside of the urethra (urethra: The urinary tract, where people pee from. On a penis, the opening to the urethra is at the head of the penis; on a vulva, the opening is above the vaginal opening and below the external clitoris.) (the duct in the penis (penis: One of the two external reproductive organs of people often assigned male at birth.) where urine and sexual fluids are released). This helps assist the sperm (sperm: Reproductive cells of people with penises which can fertilize an ovum and create pregnancy.) as they make their exit during ejaculation (ejaculation: In a sexual context, a discharge of genital fluid, usually (but not always) as a result of sexual stimulation and/or orgasm.) . While this lubricating fluid isn’t the same stuff as semen (semen: Fluid which comes from the urethra of the penis during ejaculation, and which usually contains sperm.) , it can help flush any sperm that were lingering in the urethra. If those sperm are flushed out (out: Short for ‘out of the closet’. When someone’s LGBTQ+ identity is known to other people.) of the urethra and into your vagina (vagina: The internal passage leading from the opening of the vulva to the cervix of the uterus.) , they can swim up to the egg and fertilize it.
Not only can this lubricating fluid (which is made in a structure called the Cowper’s gland) result in unintended pregnancy, it can also carry bacteria and other germs, thus spreading STIs. If you and your partner (partner: In a sexual context, a person with whom someone is having some kind of sex. The term “partner” can be used for all kinds of relationships, not just serious ones. “Partner” can also mean the person someone is with in a romantic or familial partnership.) haven’t been checked for STIs lately, now is a good time to get tested. Teens only make up 25% of all sexually active (sexually active: Someone who has had or is currently having some kind of genital sex with a partner or partners.) people, but they make up more than half of all new STI (STI: Sexually transmitted infections: illness, infection and/or disease which is often or can be transmitted through sexual or other intimate contact, like HIV, Chlamydia or Herpes. Some people call STIs STDs.) cases. In the future, using a condom (condom: A thin sheath or tube of latex or another material, worn over the penis during sex to prevent or reduce the risk of pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted infections.) during sex (sex: Different things people choose to do to actively express or enact sexuality and sexual feelings; often this involves genitals, but not always. ) can prevent this lubrication (as well as other fluids) from getting inside you. Condoms are the best way to prevent STIs and pregnancy.
