Chances of getting pregnant without protection and not pulling out

Yes, although the risk of getting pregnant in this way is very low. If you want to avoid getting pregnant, you should use contraception.

Getting pregnant

Pregnancy happens when a sperm fertilises an egg, which can happen even if you've not had sexual intercourse (penetration).

During vaginal penetrative sex (where the penis enters the vagina) semen can be ejaculated. Semen is the liquid produced during ejaculation and contains millions of sperm.

As soon as the penis is erect, (before ejaculation), a liquid called pre-ejaculate or "pre-cum" is produced. This liquid can contain thousands of sperm.

The ovaries release 1 or more eggs (ovulation) 12-16 days before a period starts.

The sperm enters the body through the vagina, then travels through the cervix and womb to the fallopian tubes, where the egg is usually fertilised (conception). The egg can be fertilised by sperm contained in semen or pre-ejaculate.

What if I did not have penetrative sex?

It is possible to get pregnant if sperm comes into contact with the vagina, if for example:

• your partner ejaculates very close to your vagina
• your partner's erect penis comes into contact with your genital area (vagina or vulva)

The risk of getting pregnant in this way is very low because sperm can only live for a short time outside the body.

However, if you're not planning a pregnancy, it's important to know that it's possible to get pregnant in this way.

Preventing pregnancy

If you do not want to get pregnant, you should use contraception. For information about the different methods, see: which method of contraception suits me?

It's also important to remember that only condoms can protect you against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you use a condom, put it on as soon as your partner's penis is erect, to prevent any sperm from coming into contact with your vagina.

Read the answers to more questions about pregnancy

Further information:

• Can I get pregnant just after my period has finished?
• How do I use a condom?
• How effective is each contraceptive?
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Contraception guide
• Pregnancy and baby guide

What Is the Pull-Out Method?

The pull-out method is a form of birth control in which a man takes their penis out of a woman's vagina before they ejaculate so fewer sperm get inside. It’s also known as coitus interruptus or the withdrawal method.

How Does the Pull-Out Method Work?

It isn’t as easy as it sounds. The man needs a lot of control to time it right. It doesn't work if they can't feel when they are close to orgasm or if they're so caught up in the moment that they don't pull out in time.

The best ways to use the pull-out method

Here are some tips to make it work better:

• Use it along with another type of birth control, like a condom or the pill.
• Use a spermicide, a chemical that kills sperm.
• Don't rely on withdrawal alone on the days when the woman is most likely to get pregnant. You can keep track of which days are safest with an ovulation calendar.
• Have the man pee before sex to clear out any sperm that may have gotten an early start.
• Be consistent. Do it every time you have sex.
• When the man ejaculates, make sure none of the fluid gets on the woman’s upper thighs or groin. Sperm on your skin can work its way inside your vagina.

Pull-Out Method Effectiveness

Pulling out isn’t a very reliable way to prevent pregnancy. It works about 78% of the time, which means that over a year of using this method, 22 out of 100 women -- about 1 in 5 -- would get pregnant. By comparison, male condoms are 98% effective when used correctly every time.

Can you get pregnant if your partner pulls out?

Yes, you can. But the pull-out method may work better than doing nothing.

Does the pull-out method prevent STDs?

No, it doesn’t. You can still get a sexually transmitted disease (STD) such as HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, or syphilis while using this method.

Benefits of the Pull-Out Method

Couples may choose this method if they wouldn’t mind a surprise pregnancy or because:

• They don’t want to use other types of birth control for religious or philosophical reasons.
• They need some kind of birth control right away, and it’s too late to use other methods.
• They don’t have sex very often.
• It's free and convenient.
• It doesn’t involve any hormones or other chemicals.
• It has no side effects or health risks.
• You don't need to see a doctor or get a prescription.

Disadvantages of the Pull-Out Method

Not only is it not very effective, withdrawal isn’t a good method of birth control because:

• It takes a lot of control for the man to pull out before ejaculation.
• The woman has no control over it at all.
• You may feel that it gets in the way of sexual pleasure.
• Even if they pee before sex, the man can still release fluid before they ejaculate. This pre-ejaculate does contain sperm.

What Should You Do if the Pull-Out Method Fails?

If you're worried the method did not go as planned, talk to your doctor about emergency contraception, which should be taken as soon as possible after sex to try to prevent a pregnancy.