While more and more people have access to accurate, reliable information on sexual health issues – including pregnancy – many people are still a little fuzzy on the details when it comes to their pregnancy risk in specific scenarios. For example, have you ever wondered what the chances of getting pregnant are if: 

• You use the pull-out method?
• You’re close to having your period?
• You put sperm into the vagina?
• There is pre-cum, but no ejaculation?

These are just a few of the questions that people can have. Let’s break them down one by one with simple, evidence-based answers. 

Can I Get Pregnant if He Pulls Out?

Yes, you can get pregnant if your partner pulls their penis out before ejaculating — a.k.a. using the pull-out method. 

Here are a few key points about the pull-out method, also known as the withdrawal method or coitus interruptus:

• It’s a method of birth control that seeks to prevent pregnancy by preventing sperm from entering the vagina. During sex, the penis is withdrawn from the vagina before ejaculation. 
• The pull-out method is accessible to everyone, free, has no side effects, and does not require any pre-planning (unlike condoms or other contraceptives). 
• It’s relatively common: around 11% of women use withdrawal as their primary method of pregnancy prevention, and 33% use withdrawal in addition to another contraceptive method (such as condoms and the fertility awareness method). 

However, it’s only moderately reliable at preventing pregnancy. With typical use, up to 22% of couples will experience a pregnancy within a year. When done perfectly every time, it results in pregnancy approximately 4% of the time. This is roughly similar to the efficacy of condom use (though the pull-out method does not protect against STIs). 

The pull-out method also requires meticulous timing, self-control, and coordination to direct sperm away from the vagina, which may be difficult for some people when they’re sexually excited. It also requires strong trust and support between partners.

In short, the pull-out method is moderately effective, and while it may be a good option for some people (e.g., those who can’t use more effective methods due to side effects or access issues), there’s a decent chance of becoming pregnant if it’s your primary contraceptive method. 

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Can I Get Pregnant From Precum?

Yes, you can potentially get pregnant from precum, and here’s why:

• Precum can contain sperm. Precum is a viscous substance secreted by the penis during sexual activity that helps serve as a lubricant. It doesn’t usually have sperm in it, but sometimes it does, and there’s no way of knowing it at the time.This means there's a chance of pregnancy from precum even if your partner pulls out before they ejaculate.
• Precum is tricky to see. Precum is released involuntarily, can’t always be felt, and can be difficult to see (it’s only a small amount of clearish fluid). Even if you can’t see precum, it may be present, and could therefore cause pregnancy if it comes into contact with the vagina.
• Sperm can survive in a partner’s body. After ejaculation, sperm can live inside the female reproductive tract for several days. Therefore, any sperm present in precum that enters the vagina can cause pregnancy even days later. 

Here’s a little more detail on precum. 

Precum, more formally known as pre-ejaculate fluid, is released from the urethra of the penis during sexual arousal. It helps lubricate the penis during sex. Precum contains things like enzymes, mucus, and sometimes, sperm — which is why it may cause pregnancy. Some research shows that 41% of men have live sperm in their precum. Peeing before sex may help to flush out any viable sperm, but it’s not foolproof. 

Fortunately, risk of pregnancy from precum can be easily managed with contraceptive methods such as birth control pills, condoms, or an IUD.

Can I Get Pregnant if I Put Sperm in Me?

Yes. Pregnancy can happen whenever semen has entered the vagina, even if it doesn’t go very far in.

Sperm can enter the vagina during sex (either via precum or ejaculation) but it can enter the vagina in other ways, too. Fingers, sex toys, or a damaged condom can all introduce sperm to the vagina. Deliberately introducing semen far into the vagina, medically known as “intrauterine insemination”, is sometimes used by couples who are actively trying to conceive. 

However it happens, if sperm gets inside of the vagina, there could be a chance you will get pregnant. 

Can I Get Pregnant if it’s Close to my Period? 

It depends on your individual body and cycle, but the short answer is, yes, you can theoretically get pregnant before, during, and after your period if you are having unprotected sex. 

A person can actually only become pregnant for about a few days out of the month, but the timing of those days varies widely from person to person. It depends on the timing of sex and on your menstrual cycle — specifically, when you ovulate. 

Ovulation is when the ovaries release an egg into the uterus so that it’s available to be fertilised by a sperm, staying there for around 24-48 hours. This typically occurs 14 days before a person’s period starts. However, ovulation can be tricky to predict, as many people do not have a regular 28-day cycle, and even then, the timing of ovulation can vary. What’s more, some people have conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) which can cause mid-cycle bleeding and spotting and/or irregular ovulation, making it additionally tricky to predict the time of ovulation. 

The other side of the equation is, of course, the presence of sperm. After ejaculation, sperm can actually live for up to five days inside the female reproductive tract, and could cause pregnancy at any point within that.

What does all of this mean for chances of pregnancy surrounding your period? It means that, while the chances are low, you could theoretically become pregnant if you have sex within a few days of your period, particularly if you happen to ovulate close to the time you bleed. 

Bottom Line

If you’re trying not to get pregnant, know that it’s possible even when you’re trying to be careful. 

To protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy, consistent use of reliable contraception is essential. Consider options like IUDs, birth control pills, the implant, or a combination of methods. If you've had unprotected sex and do not wish to become pregnant, emergency contraception is a safe and effective way to prevent it if taken promptly.