Are there sperm in the pre-ejaculatory fluid? Can they cause pregnancy?

These questions are very common not only among teenagers, but also among adults. In fact, there are many couples, even long-term ones, who use coitus  interruptus as a method to avoid an unwanted pregnancy.

What is pre-ejaculatory fluid?

Pre-ejaculatory fluid ( also called pre-sperm or presperm ) is a clear, viscous fluid that drains from the penis just before ejaculation .

Unlike the actual sperm , which is produced by the testicles , the pre-ejaculatory fluid is secreted by some glands  (called Cowper’s and Littré’s glands), which are located near the urethra, i.e. the tube through which the sperm urine travels outward.

During sexual arousal, these glands release a certain amount of liquid (more or less abundant), which has the purpose of lubricating the urethra and creating more suitable conditions for the survival of the spermatozoa .

The passage of urine, in fact, increases the acidity inside the urethra, making it less favorable for the passage to the seminal fluid. Conversely, the pre-ejaculatory fluid has a basic pH, which lowers the acidity and thus creates a more suitable environment for the sperm. Furthermore, in the event of unprotected intercourse, the pre-seminal fluid can help increase the vaginal pH , creating more favorable conditions for the spermatozoa and, consequently, for conception.

When does the pre-ejaculatory fluid come out and what does it look like?

Pre-spermal fluid is expelled shortly before actual ejaculation . As well as during sexual intercourse , it can also be released without penetration , during masturbation or foreplay.

When it emerges from the urethra in the arousal phase, it can be visible at the tip of the penis as a white or clear liquid .

Is it possible to get pregnant with pre-ejaculatory fluid?

The answer is yes, albeit only under certain conditions and with a low probability. Even if the pre-ejaculatory fluid is not fertilizing in itself, in fact, there is still the possibility that it can start a pregnancy . 

Let’s see together why.

Are there sperm in the pre-ejaculatory fluid?

The natural habitat of male sex cells is sperm , which under optimal conditions can contain up to 200-300 million sperm per ejaculation .

Pre-spermal fluid, on the other hand, contains mainly proteins, enzymes and mucus , but no sperm. Despite this, it can lead to pregnancy if there is semen residue left in the male urethra after a previous ejaculation.

Having a close sexual relationship, in fact, it is possible that the pre-ejaculatory liquid incorporates vital spermatozoa , capable of fertilizing an egg cell , and transports them outside.

Consequently, even if it is a low sperm count, which makes the risk of pregnancy low, the  probability of conceiving is never equal to zero . For this reason, coitus interruptus is not a reliable method of contraception .

How long can sperm survive?

The survival of sperm after ejaculation depends on several factors and environmental conditions.

In the male urethra , they remain viable for up to 5 hours , but are completely eliminated with urination. Consequently, to reduce the risk of having a baby, a man should urinate between intercourse , to avoid semen residue between successive ejaculations.

In the female body , sperm can survive up to 5 days in the presence of fertile cervical mucus . In the infertile period of the cycle, during which the vagina has a more acidic pH, they die within minutes .

Pre-ejaculatory fluid and pregnancy: what is the risk?

According to  a study conducted in the United States  by the National Institute of Health on the failure of contraceptive methods,  22% of couples who use coitus interruptus incur an unwanted pregnancy.  This percentage is reduced to 4% if coitus interruptus is applied in a “perfect” way, ie if the penis is removed from the vagina long before ejaculation (perfect use is less frequent for obvious reasons).

Defining a perfect use of coitus interruptus is extremely complicated. How many times, in the forum of this site, do we read of pregnancies that arrived despite “ my boyfriend was careful ”, “ my boyfriend is sure he didn’t come inside ” or “ we were careful, how is that possible? ”.

Even in these cases it is impossible to know whether the pregnancy is the result of sperm present in the pre-ejaculatory fluid or the outcome of the actual ejaculation , which the partner was unable to “control” in time.

Pre-ejaculatory fluid and sexually transmitted infections

It is very important to underline that both semen and pre-ejaculatory fluid can carry sexually transmitted diseases , such as HIV , chlamydia and gonococcus (the bacterium responsible for gonorrhea) infections .

Since sexually transmitted diseases can have even serious repercussions on health and fertility , when you have sexual contacts at risk it is always a must to use a condom , to reduce the risk of contagion.

In conclusion:

• Pre-ejaculatory fluid can actually cause pregnancy. Consequently, coitus interruptus cannot be considered a reliable contraceptive strategy . If you are a stable couple and are not trying to have a child, rely on really effective contraceptive methods .

• Pre-ejaculatory fluid can be a vehicle for sexually transmitted diseases. For this reason, if you are not sure whether your partner or your partner is healthy, out of mutual respect and to protect your health,  always use a condom in case of risky sexual contacts .